title: No difference between intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid and placebo for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis: a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial.
abstract: The main goal of our study was to examine the effectiveness and safety of Fermathron plus, a specific brand of hyaluronic acid (HA), in patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. In a randomized, controlled, double-blind trial, 196 patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (mean age ± SD, 59.4 ± 9.9 years, Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1-3) were given either 3 weekly intra-articular injections of HA or saline (placebo). Although pain and functional scores (WOMAC scale) improved significantly from baseline up to 6 months, HA was not superior to placebo at any follow-up (VAS pain 50 m walking from 56.4 to 38.1, P < .001, and 58.2 to 39.6, P < .001, respectively). No subgroup analysis resulted in superior outcomes. No serious adverse events were noticed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, St. Anna hospital, Geldrop, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: van der Weegen
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, St. Anna hospital, Geldrop, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jorgen A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Wullems
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, St. Anna hospital, Geldrop, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Ellis
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bos
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Elkerliek hospital, Helmond, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Hub
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Noten
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, St. Anna hospital, Geldrop, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Rogier A M
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: van Drumpt
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007270:Injections, Intra-Articular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020370:Osteoarthritis, Knee / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D006820:Hyaluronic Acid
keywords: hyaluronic acid; intra-articular injections; knee osteoarthritis; placebo; randomized controlled trial