60例膝骨关节炎患者生活质量变化及其相关性分析

目的:了解膝骨关节炎患者生活质量变化及其影响因素,为干预其生活质量影响因素提供依据。方法:通过国际普适生活质量量表(SF-36)、焦虑自评量表(SAS)、膝关节功能影响指数(LequesneMG)对60例膝骨关节炎患者进行评分,统计Le-quesneMG、SAS积分对患者生活质量影响及SF-36各维度与LequesneMG、病程、血沉等因素相关性。结果:60例患者SF-36各维度积分低于常模组患者例数及所占百分比:生理机能47例(78%)、生理职能25例(42%)、躯体疼痛46例(76%)、一般健康状况33例(55%)、精力39例(65%)、社会功能44例(73%)、情感职能32例(53%)、精神健康37例(62%),有焦虑障碍患者(SAS粗分大于40)38例(占63%);LequesneMG评分中重度组患者SF-36各维度评分低于轻度组,重度组SF-36各维度评分低于中度组(P<0.05),SAS评分中重度组高于轻度组、重度组高于中度组(P<0.05);无焦虑障碍患者SF-36各维度评分高于有焦虑障碍患者(P<0.05);相关性分析示LequesneMG、病程与SF-36各维度积分呈负相关,免疫球蛋白G(IgG)与SF-36躯体疼痛维度积分呈负相关。结论:膝骨关节炎患者生活质量明显下降,LequesneMG、病程、免疫球蛋白G与其生活质量具有相关性。     

全膝关节置换术对老年膝骨关节炎患者的疗效及生活质量的影响

目的探讨全膝关节置换术对老年膝骨关节炎患者疗效及生活质量的影响。方法选取膝关节炎患者66例,按随机数字表法分组,对照组33例予以玻璃酸钠注射液治疗,研究组33例行全膝置换术(TKA)治疗。比较2组WOMAC骨关节炎指数评分、膝关节最大屈曲角度、疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)、膝关节KSS评分、运动功能及生活质量,同时对比临床疗效及不良反应。结果与对照组比较,研究组治疗后WOMAC骨关节炎指数评分较低、膝关节最大屈曲角度较大、VAS评分、膝关节KSS评分显著较高(P0.05),治疗后运动功能及生活质量改善程度更加显著(P0.05)。结论全膝置换术治疗老年膝骨关节炎,能有改善患者生活质量,提高患者膝关节功能。     

酮咯酸氨丁三醇联合透明质酸钠关节腔内注射对膝骨性关节炎患者VAS评分及生活质量的影响

目的研究膝骨性关节炎(KOA)患者以酮咯酸氨丁三醇联合透明质酸钠关节腔内注射治疗对疼痛程度(VAS评分)及生活质量(SF-36评分)的影响。方法将2016年1月～2017年12月我院KOA患者57例作为研究对象,按随机数字表法分为观察组(n=29)和对照组(n=28)。对照组单纯以透明质酸钠治疗,观察组以酮咯酸氨丁三醇联合透明质酸钠治疗。对比两组临床疗效、治疗前及治疗5周后膝骨关节炎指数(WOMAC)评分、VAS及SF-36评分。结果观察组总有效率96.55%(28/29)与对照组85.71%(24/28)对比,差异无统计学意义(P0.05);观察组显效率65.52%(19/29)高于对照组35.71%(10/28),差异显著(P0.05);治疗5周后WOMAC、VAS评分观察组低于对照组,SF-36评分观察组高于对照组,差异显著(P0.05)。结论酮咯酸氨丁三醇联合透明质酸钠关节腔内注射治疗KOA临床疗效可靠,能有效缓解疼痛程度,改善膝关节功能,提高生活质量。     

新风胶囊对膝骨关节炎患者严重程度指数及生活质量的影响

目的:评价具有健脾化湿通络作用的中药复方新风胶囊对膝骨关节炎患者严重程度指数(LequesneMG)及生活质量影响,为新风胶囊治疗膝骨关节炎提供依据。方法:将60例患者随即分为新风胶囊组(27例)及对照组(33例),通过LequesneMG、国际普适生活质量量表(SF-36)、焦虑自评量表(SAS)、抑郁自评量表(SDS)进行评分,统计2组患者治疗前后的LequesneMG、SAS、SDS、SF-36评分差异。结果:1、新风胶囊组治疗后4周LequesneMG评分低于治疗前、SF-36躯体疼痛维度评分高于治疗前,治疗后12周LequesneMG、SAS、SDS评分低于治疗前、SF-36各维度评分高于治疗前(P<0.05),对照组治疗后4周LequesneMG评分低于治疗前,治疗后12周LequesneMG、SAS、SDS评分低于治疗前、SF-36除生理职能和情感职能其余各维度评分高于治疗前(P<0.05);2、2组治疗前LequesneMG、SF-36各维度、SAS、SDS评分差异无统计学意义,新风胶囊组治疗后4周SF-36躯体疼痛维度评分高于对照组、12周LequesneMG、SAS、SDS评分低于对照组、SF-36各维度评分高于对照组(P<0.05)。结论:膝骨关节炎患者有LequesneMG及生活质量变化,新风胶囊可明显改善膝骨关节炎患者LequesneMG及生活质量,疗效优于对照组。     

汉化版36项健康调查简表评估膝骨关节炎患者生活质量的信度研究

目的检验36项健康调查简表(SF-36)能否作为膝骨关节炎患者生活质量评估的有效评价指标。方法 由2名经过SF-36规范化培训的测评人员对30例膝骨关节炎患者在3d内进行2次问答式测试评分。应用组内相关系数(ICC)和Cronbach’s α系数检验SF-36的信度。结果 SF-36总分和各评分部分得分的ICC为0.54～0.91;Cronbach’sα系数为0.70～0.95。结论 SF-36有极好的信度,可以作为膝骨关节炎患者生活质量评估的有效评价指标。     

闭链离心等张训练对髌股疼痛综合征患者膝关节功能的影响

目的:探讨闭链离心等张训练对髌股疼痛综合征(PFPS)患者膝关节功能的疗效。方法:选取33例符合纳入排除标准的髌股疼痛综合征患者,采用随机数字表法分成试验组(n=17)和对照组(n=16);试验组采用常规康复训练+闭链离心等张训练,对照组仅进行常规康复训练。两组患者在治疗前、治疗8周采用视觉模拟评分法(VAS)评定患者疼痛程度、等速肌力测定膝伸屈肌群肌力、膝关节Kujala评分评价膝关节功能以及SF-36评估生存质量。结果:两组治疗8周后VAS评分低于治疗前(P0.05)、Kujala评分、60°/s速度下膝伸屈肌群峰力矩、SF-36中生理职能、躯体疼痛、一般健康状况改善,与治疗前比较差异有显著性意义(P0.05)。8周治疗后,试验组VAS评分低于对照组(P0.05)、Kujala评分、60°/s速度下膝伸屈肌群峰力矩及SF-36中生理职能、健康变化均高于对照组(P0.05)。结论:常规康复训练的基础上结合闭链离心等张训练能进一步缓解髌股疼痛综合征患者膝关节疼痛、增强肌力、提高生活满意度,建议可以作为PFPS康复训练的一部分,值得临床应用及推广。     

胫骨骨折髓内钉术后患者疼痛程度、关节评分和生活质量的相关性

目的调查胫骨骨折髓内钉术后患者疼痛程度、关节评分和生活质量的相关性。方法 2009年8月至2010年7月,采用疼痛视觉评分(visual analogue scale,VAS)、膝关节评分(American knee score,AKS)和踝关节评分(Kofoed)量表以及SF-36生活质量量表对胫骨骨折髓内钉术后10～15个月再次入住上海交通大学附属第六人民医院取胫骨髓内钉的患者68例进行调查,并进行Spearman相关性分析。结果 27例(39.7%)患者休息时膝关节周围存在疼痛,13例(19.1%)患者出现不同程度的踝关节周围疼痛,9例(13.2%)患者仍感骨折部位疼痛;67.0%以上患者AKS、Kofoed评分为优;SF-36生活质量量表中躯体活动功能、疼痛、活力及社会功能等条目的得分均低于四川省居民常模的得分(均P<0.01)。Spearman相关性分析显示,AKS、Kofoed评分与SF-36生活质量量表的躯体及心理维度具有相关性;SF-36躯体总分与膝关节、踝关节和骨折端VAS评分具有相关性;心理总分仅与膝关节VAS评分具有相关性(P<0.01)。结论有效的护理评估和积极合理的功能锻炼指导可有效减少髓内钉治疗胫骨骨折患者的术后并发症,提高患者生活质量。     

低强度脉冲聚焦超声治疗对膝骨关节炎患者疼痛和关节功能的改善作用及其安全性

目的 探究低强度脉冲聚焦超声治疗对膝骨关节炎患者疼痛和关节功能的改善作用及其安全性。方法前瞻性研究,选取2018年3月至2019年3月达州市中西医结合医院收治的120例膝骨关节炎患者,按照随机数字表法将患者分为双氯芬酸钠组和联合治疗组,每组各60例。双氯芬酸钠组患者给予口服双氯芬酸钠缓释片,联合治疗组患者在口服双氯芬酸钠缓释片的基础上给予低强度脉冲聚焦超声治疗。比较两组患者治疗前后疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS)、Lequence指数、Lysholm评分、生活质量量表SF-36评分以及不良反应。结果 治疗前,两组患者的疼痛VAS评分、Lequence指数、Lysholm评分和SF-36评分差异均无统计学意义(P 0. 05);治疗后,双氯芬酸钠组和联合治疗组患者的疼痛VAS评分、Lequence指数均低于同组治疗前,Lysholm评分和SF-36评分均显著高于同组治疗前,差异均具有统计学意义(P 0. 05);治疗后,联合治疗组患者的疼痛VAS评分、Lequence指数均低于双氯芬酸钠组,Lysholm评分和SF-36评分均显著高于双氯芬酸钠组,差异均具有统计学意义(P 0. 05);双氯芬酸钠组和联合治疗组患者治疗过程中均有2例患者出现胃肠道不良反应,如恶心、呕吐,两组患者治疗过程中均未出现超声波毒性现象。结论 在口服双氯芬酸钠缓释片的基础之上给予低强度脉冲聚焦超声治疗膝骨关节炎患者可以有效地缓解疼痛,改善关节功能,是一种安全有效的治疗方案。     

老年膝骨关节炎综合疗法的短期效果观察

目的观察综合疗法对老年膝骨关节炎的短期治疗效果。方法30例老年膝骨关节炎患者在接受健康教育指导的基础上,进行10次双氯芬酸二乙胺乳胶剂经脉冲超声波导入、6次推拿手法治疗和每日1～2次的股四头肌肌力增强训练,并在治疗前、后完成视觉模拟疼痛评分(VAS)、10 m步行速度测试、5次起坐时间测试和下肢等速肌力测试。结果30例膝骨关节炎患者治疗前后的疼痛程度、步行能力、起坐能力、下肢肌力均有改善(P<0.05或P<0.001)。结论双氯芬酸二乙胺乳胶剂经脉冲超声波导入、推拿手法治疗联合股四头肌肌力增强训练对于膝骨关节炎具有较好的短期治疗效果。     

单髁置换术治疗老年膝骨关节炎的效果及对患者术后恢复情况的影响

目的探讨单髁置换术治疗老年膝骨关节炎的临床效果及对患者术后恢复情况的影响。方法选取2017年1月～2018年12月我科收治的膝骨关节炎老年患者100例,随机分为观察组和对照组各50例。对照组采用全膝关节置换术,观察组采用单髁置换术,比较两组患者膝关节功能评分(KSS评分)、膝关节美国纽约特种外科医院评分(HSS评分)、疼痛视觉模拟评分(VAS评分)、用匹兹堡睡眠质量指数量表评分(PSQI评分)、手术时间、术中出血量及术后并发症的发生情况。结果观察组患者术后KSS评分、HSS评分均显著高于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);观察组患者术后VAS评分、PSQI评分均低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);与对照组比较,观察组患者手术时间更短,术中出血量更少,差异有统计学意义(P0.05);两组患者术后并发症发生率比较差异无统计学意义(P0.05)。结论针对老年膝骨关节炎患者,采用单髁关节置换术治疗创伤更小,膝关节功能恢复更好,且能减轻疼痛、改善睡眠质量。     

Comparing the efficacy of mature mud pack and hot pack treatments for knee osteoarthritis

Objective: The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of mature mud pack and hot pack therapies on patients with knee osteoarthritis.Design: This study was designed as a prospective, randomized-controlled, and single-blinded clinical trial. Twenty-seven patients with clinical and radiologic evidence of knee osteoarthritis were randomly assigned into two groups and were treated with mature mud packs (n 15) or hot packs (n=12). Patients were evaluated for pain [based on the visual analog scale (VAS)], function (WOMAC, 6 min walking distance), quality of life [Short Form-36 (SF-36)], and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) at baseline, post-treatment, and 3 and 6~months after treatment. Results: The mud pack group shows a significant improvement in VAS, pain, stifness, and physical function domains of WOMAC. The difference between groups of pain and physical activity domains is significant at post-treatment in favor of mud pack. For a 6 min walking distance, mud pack shows significant improvement, and the difference is significant between groups in favor of mud pack at post-treatment and 3 and 6 months after treatment. Mud pack shows significant improvement in the pain subscale of SF-36 at the third month continuing until the sixth month after the treatment. Significant improvements are found for the social function, vitality/energy, physical role disability, and general health subscales of SF-36 in favor of the mud pack compared with the hot pack group at post-treatment. A significant increase is detected for IGF-1 in the mud pack group 3 months after treatment compared with the baseline, and the difference is significant between groups 3 months after the treatment. Conclusion: Mud pack is a favorable option compared with hotpack for pain relief and for the improvement of functional conditions in treating patients with knee osteoarthritis.     

The effectiveness of acupuncture on pain and mobility in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a pilot study

Acupuncture has been repeatedly reported to relieve pain associated with osteoarthritis of the knee. As the vast majority of information on the effectiveness of acupuncture on this condition is based on data collected in Western countries, little is known about patients with osteoarthritis of the knee in Asian countries. In this pilot clinical study, acupuncture was incorporated into the standard care for adult patients with osteoarthritis of the knee to determine its contribution to pain relief and improved mobility. In a prospective, non-randomized controlled study, patients with osteoarthritis of the knee were separated into two groups. The first (the experimental group; n = 12) was scheduled for up to 8 sessions of acupuncture in addition to standard care, while the second (the control group; n = 12) received standard care only. Measurements using the six-minute walking distance test, pain visual analogue scale, and osteoarthritis of the knee outcome measurement were taken at baseline and after 4 weeks. Both study and control groups showed significant improvement with respect to time effects in terms of six-minute walking distance, pain visual analogue scale, pain domain and mobility domain scores determined by the osteoarthritis of the knee outcome measurement (p < .01), after adjusting for covariables. However, improvements measured in the study group did not differ significantly from those in the control group. Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee seemed to experience clinical improvements in six-minute walking distance, pain relief and mobility when their standard care was supplemented with acupuncture.     

双醋瑞因联合玻璃酸钠治疗膝骨关节炎疗效观察

目的：评价双醋瑞因联合玻璃酸钠治疗骨关节炎的临床疗效。方法：采用回顾性临床对照研究方案设计,65例膝骨关节炎患者应用关节腔内注射玻璃酸钠治疗为对照组,69例膝骨关节炎患者在玻璃酸钠基础治疗的同时合用双醋瑞因6个月作为联合治疗组,通过VAS评分、WOMAC评分、ESR和CRP在治疗前、治疗后1个月、3个月和后3个月3个时段四个时间断面的病情改变作为疗效判断指标。结果：与治疗前相比,两组的关节触痛、20米步行痛评分、WOMAC评分、ESR和CRP有明显改善（P〈0．001）;在治疗后的3个月,各个观察指标联合治疗组明显优于对照组（X^2=5．256,P〈0．05）;在治疗后的第2、3个月和治疗后的后3个月两个时段,应用NSAIDs的患者例数上,联合治疗组明显少于对照组（P=0．022;X^2=10．428,P=0．001）,在治疗初的1个月内两组无差异（X^2=0．137,P=0．711）,并且未发生严重不良事件。结论：双醋瑞因和玻璃酸钠二者对骨关节炎治疗都有临床疗效;在对OA采用玻璃酸钠治疗的基础上,同时合用和维持治疗,临床疗效更持久有效,值得临床推广。     

膝周神经射频热凝治疗顽固性膝骨关节炎疼痛的临床效果

目的:探讨膝周神经射频热凝联合玻璃酸钠注射治疗顽固性膝骨关节炎疼痛的临床效果。方法:36例严重膝骨关节炎疼痛的患者,共57个患膝,随机分为两组:射频加玻璃酸钠组(R组),行膝周神经射频热凝加关节腔内玻璃酸钠注射;对照组(C组),单纯关节腔内玻璃酸钠注射。分别于治疗前、治疗后1周、治疗后6周和治疗后12周,记录患者疼痛视觉模拟评分(visual analoguescale,VAS)、患者对治疗效果综合评估(patient’s global assessment,PGA)和不良反应。结果:治疗后的12周内,R组VAS评分显著低于C组。R组PGA在第1周和第12周均显著高于C组。所有患者均未发生明显的不良反应。结论:膝周神经射频热凝联合玻璃酸钠注射治疗顽固性膝骨关节痛效果明显,安全可靠,可成为治疗老年性膝骨关节炎的有效手段。     

Hydrotherapy versus conventional land-based exercise for the management of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee: a randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of hydrotherapy in subjects with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee compared with subjects with OA of the knee who performed land-based exercises. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Sixty-four subjects with OA of the knee were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups that performed exercises for 18 weeks: a water-based exercise group and a land-based exercise group. The outcome measures included a visual analog scale (VAS) for pain in the previous week, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), pain during gait assessed by a VAS at rest and immediately following a 50-foot (15.24-m) walk test (50FWT), walking time measured at fast and comfortable paces during the 50FWT, and the Lequesne Index. Measurements were recorded by a blinded investigator at baseline and at 9 and 18 weeks after initiating the intervention. RESULTS: The 2 groups were homogenous regarding all parameters at baseline. Reductions in pain and improvements in WOMAC and Lequesne index scores were similar between groups. Pain before and after the 50FWT decreased significantly over time in both groups. However, the water-based exercise group experienced a significantly greater decrease in pain than the land-based exercise group before and after the 50FWT at the week-18 follow-up. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Both water-based and land-based exercises reduced knee pain and increased knee function in participants with OA of the knee. Hydrotherapy was superior to land-based exercise in relieving pain before and after walking during the last follow-up. Water-based exercises are a suitable and effective alternative for the management of OA of the knee.     

联合阻滞疗法治疗膝骨关节炎的临床研究

目的：探讨联合阻滞疗法对缓解膝骨关节炎的疼痛症及改善其活动功能的效果。方法：选择疼痛门诊70例膝骨关节炎患者，进行关节腔内注射透明质酸钠2ml／次，5次为一疗程，同时用1％利用多卡因，得宝松7mg（阿沙吉尔0.9g）及VitB12 0.5mg进行关节周围的痛点阻滞。分别观察治疗前后的视觉类比测试法（visual analogue scale,VAS）评分及关节活动功能评分。结果：疗程结束后膝关节疼痛症状明显缓解，关节活动功能得到显著改善，治疗有效率达98．3％，无任何不良反应的发生。结论：应用联合阻滞疗法膝骨关节炎疗效显著，无严重的不良反应，是一种有效安全的膝骨关节炎治疗方法。     

体外冲击波结合经穴治疗膝关节骨性关节炎的疗效观察

目的：本研究拟通过临床随机对照研究探讨体外冲击波结合经穴治疗膝关节骨性关节炎的临床疗效。方法：将39例早中期膝关节骨性关节炎患者随机分为观察组19例和对照组20例。2组均采用发散式体外冲击波治疗,对照组单纯给予冲击波痛点治疗,观察组在冲击波痛点治疗的基础上依据循经取穴原则增加对血海穴和梁丘穴的刺激。所有受试者分别在治疗前、治疗4周后行疼痛视觉模拟评分法（VAS）、西安大略和麦克马斯特大学骨关节炎指数评分（WOMAC）、6分钟步行实验（6MWT）等评定,并在治疗后记录《中医病证诊断疗效标准》中骨痹的疗效评价以及不良反应。结果：治疗4周后,2组患者VAS评分和WOMAC评分均较治疗前明显降低（P<0.01）,6MWT行走距离较治疗前明显增加（P<0.05）;且观察组VAS评分较对照组降低（P<0.05）;WOMAC评分及6MWT 2组间比较差异无统计学意义。治疗后,治疗后观察组《中医病症诊断疗效标准》中骨痹的疗效评价标准评估临床优良率为89%,对照组为80%。2组患者均未出现明显不良反应。结论：体外冲击波结合经穴治疗可减轻膝关节骨性关节炎患者的疼痛、改善膝关节功能、提高步行能力。     

双醋瑞因联合盐酸氨基葡萄糖、双氯芬酸钠治疗骨性关节炎疗效比较

目的：研究双醋瑞因联合盐酸氨基葡萄糖和双氯芬酸钠治疗骨性关节炎的可行性及安全性。方法：选取100例骨性关节炎患者,随机分入双醋瑞因组联合双氯芬酸钠组（A组）、盐酸氨基葡萄糖联合双氯芬酸钠组（B组）、单用双氯芬酸钠组（C组）和双醋瑞因组联合双氯芬酸钠和盐酸氨基葡萄糖组（D组）四组中,用药12周后观察治疗前后临床疗效和综合疗效评分。结果：1.四组治疗方案在VAS评分、关节疼痛度评分方面均有良好改善率;2.D组治疗方案优于A、B、C三组。结论：双醋瑞因联合盐酸氨基葡萄糖和双氯芬酸钠治疗骨性关节炎是可行、安全、优效的方案。     

Hyaluronic acid for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis: long-term outcomes from a naturalistic primary care experience

OBJECTIVE: Intraarticular hyaluronic acid is indicated for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. However, clinical experience, especially efficacy and adverse events, with repeated injection series in the long term are limited. DESIGN: Patients were referred to a large primary care center for management of osteoarthritis of the knee. All were naive to intraarticular hyaluronic acid therapy and met our entry criteria, including resting visual analog scale pain of > 45 mm, radiographic confirmation of unilateral knee grade 1-3 osteoarthritis, and willingness to receive intraarticular therapy. Patients received a three-intraarticular injection series with Suplasyn (10 mg/ml, 2-ml injection) over 3 wks. Patients were instructed to return for consideration of repeat injection series based on their perception of pain restricting daily activity and a resumption of severity similar to their initial presentation. This prospective naturalistic cohort was followed for 6.7 yrs. Patients completed baseline assessment of rest and walking visual analog scale pain (primary efficacy variable), completed a 5-point categorical global satisfaction score, and recorded adverse events and concomitant therapeutic modality use at each study visit. Patients returned for consideration of a repeat injection series based on their perception of symptom severity and were eligible if their resting visual analog scale pain was > 45 mm. The three-injection series and data collection were repeated, and again, patients were given similar instructions regarding consideration of a third injection series. RESULTS: Of 897 referral patients, 537 (mean age, 68 +/- 8 yrs; mean duration of symptoms, 7.4 +/- 4.1 yrs) met our criteria, and only 21 patients did not return for a second injection series. The mean time between first and second series was 27 +/- 7 wks. The change in walking visual analog scale pain was significantly improved from baseline after the first series (81.3%, P < 0.001) and second series (86.7%, P < 0.0001). Similarly, resting visual analog scale pain was significantly decreased from baseline after the first (P < 0.001) and second (P < 0.001) series, and patient satisfaction was significantly improved with each injection series (P < 0.03 and P < 0.01). Very few adverse events were recorded and were limited to local pain and swelling. Use of concomitant therapeutic modalities at presentation for a second injection series included: nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs/cyclooxygenase-2 medications (37%), acetaminophen (31%), oral nutraceuticals (12%), and physical therapy and bracing (12%). CONCLUSIONS: Intraarticular hyaluronic acid injections were highly effective in improving resting and walking pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee on a first and a second treatment series. Duration of symptom control was about 6 mos, and the therapy was highly satisfactory to patients and was associated with very few local adverse events and limited use of concomitant therapeutic modalities. These data support the potential role of intraarticular hyaluronic acid as an effective long-term therapeutic option for patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.