THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INTRA-ARTICULAR INJECTIONS HYALURONIC ACID AND CORTICOSTEROIDS IN THE TREATMENT OF PATIENTS WITH KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS SYMPTOMS

Abstract

Introduction: Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative condition that is caused by the gradual wear and tear of the cartilage that cushions the bones of the knee. This study will find out the effectiveness of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IAHA) and intra-articular corticosteroids (IACS) in the management of knee OA.

Material & Methods: A randomized control trial was conducted in Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar and Pak Military Hospital Rawalpindi from March 2019 to June 2021. Total one eighty-two patients were randomly assessed in the study. Treatment group A received intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IAHA), while treatment group B received intra-articular corticosteroids for three months. This study has used Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment in both groups of knee OA.

Results: The study participants mean age was 56.344 ± 7.25. Out of 182 patients, 2 of the patients reported as “loss to follow up” from IACS Tx group b. Treatment groups include 95 (52.7%) female patient while 85 (47.22%) were male patients. 96 (53.33%) received intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IAHA), while 84 (46.66%) received intra-articular steroids (IACS). The pre- and post-treatment mean difference in WOMAC scores in the hyaluronic acid group was 5.52 ± 4.756, while that in the corticosteroid group was 9.495 ± 1.24 (p value < 0.01).

Conclusion: Intra-articular steroids (IACS) and hyaluronic acid (IAHA) alone reduces OA symptoms and pain significantly. Yet intra-articular steroids are more effective than intra-articular hyaluronic acid in reducing symptoms of OA at knee.