Functional outcome in knee osteoarthritis after treatment with hylan G-F 20: a prospective study

OBJECTIVE: To assess functional change in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA) after treatment with intra-articular hyaluronic acid (Hylan G-F 20; Synvisc). DESIGN: Prospective case series with 6-month follow-up. SETTING: Outpatient community orthopedic practice. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-four consecutive patients referred to private orthopedic group with symptoms and radiographic evidence of unilateral or bilateral knee OA who had either failed or could not tolerate the side effects of conservative treatment. Sixty-one patients completed the study. Nineteen patients were lost to follow-up. Four patients withdrew from study due to subsequent knee arthroplasty. INTERVENTION: Three weekly injections of Hylan G-F 20 into one or both (if bilaterally symptomatic) knees (110 knees total). OUTCOME MEASURE: SF-36 Health Survey was completed before treatment and 6 months after treatment. RESULTS: Statistically significant improvement (p < .001) in Physical Functioning, Role-Physical, Bodily Pain, Social Functioning, and Role-Emotional categories on 6-month follow-up survey. Age and percent above ideal body weight were not significant predictors of functional change. CONCLUSION: Efficacy of intra-articular injection of Hylan G-F 20 for knee OA 6 months after injection is demonstrated in several categories of the SF-36, indicating a measurable improvement in overall functioning in these patients.     

Role of hylan G-F 20 in treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip joint

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of hylan G-F 20 in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip joint. DESIGN: Prospective within-group study. SETTING: Musculoskeletal rehabilitation clinic. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-two patients (25 hips) with hip joint OA who had failed to find pain relief from conservative methods such as physical therapy, exercises, and steroid injections. Demographics included 14 men and 11 women (mean age, 56.4y), 21 of whom had mild to moderate OA and 4 of whom had severe OA of the hips. INTERVENTION: Each hip joint was injected with 2mL of hylan G-F 20 at 2, 3, and 4 weeks and fluoroscopic lavage with 100mL of normal saline at week 1. All patients had standard hip exercise regimen after the injection. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Lower Limb Core Scale score and visual numeric pain score. RESULTS: At 1-year follow-up, the AAOS Lower Limb Core Scale score improved from a preinjection mean of 44.2 to a follow-up mean of 86.1 (P<.05). The mean visual numeric pain score improved from a preinjection mean of 8.7 (range, 6.4-10) to a follow-up mean of 2.3 (range, 0-7.2). The overall success rate was 84%. In patients with mild to moderate OA, the mean pain score decreased from a preinjection value of 7.8 to a follow-up value of 1.7. The success rate was 90.5% in that subgroup. In patients with severe OA, the mean pain score decreased from a preinjection value of 9.1 to a follow-up value of 3.8. The success rate was 50% in that subgroup. There were no complications related to the injection. CONCLUSION: Use of hylan G-F 20 injection is a viable option for treatment of mild to moderate OA of the hip joint.     

The role of elastoviscosity in the efficacy of viscosupplementation for osteoarthritis of the knee: a comparison of hylan G-F 20 and a lower-molecular-weight hyaluronan.

The objective of this 12-week, double-masked, randomized, multicenter study was to compare the elastoviscous properties of a high-molecular-weight viscosupplement, hylan G-F 20 (polymer concentration, 0.8%), with those of a lower-molecular-weight hyaluronan (LMW HA) product (polymer concentration, 1%) and to determine the relationship of elastoviscosity to efficacy in the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Patients had radiographically confirmed primary idiopathic OA of the knee (Larsen grades I to V) with pain despite other treatments. After a 2-week washout period, 70 patients (73 knees) received three 2-mL intra-articular injections of test solution at 1-week intervals. Thirty-eight patients (38 knees) received hylan G-F 20, and 32 patients (35 knees) received LMW HA. During the 12-week follow-up period, the primary outcome measures assessed by patients (using a visual analogue scale) were weight-bearing pain, most painful knee movement, and overall treatment response; the primary outcome measures assessed by study evaluators were weight-bearing pain and overall assessment of treatment. The dynamic elastoviscous properties of the test solutions were measured on an oscillating Couette-type rheometer. Hylan G-F 20 was more elastoviscous than the LMW HA at all frequencies measured (0.001 to 10 Hz). At the final evaluation, patients who received hylan G-F 20 had significantly better results on all primary outcome measures compared with those who received LMW HA. No systemic adverse events were reported. Local adverse events consisted of pain or swelling, noted in 2 of 38 knees injected with hylan G-F 20, and pain, noted in 1 of 35 knees injected with LMW HA (adverse event rates per injection, 1.8% and 0.9%, respectively). The difference in the incidence of adverse events between groups was not statistically significant. The higher-molecular-weight, more elastoviscous hylan G-F 20 had significantly greater pain-relieving effects than did the lower-molecular-weight, less elastoviscous hyaluronan.     

Management of knee osteoarthritis: knee lavage combined with hylan versus hylan alone

OBJECTIVE: To assess the difference in efficacy between knee lavage plus the standard hylan G-F 20 (a derivative of hyaluronan) protocol and the standard hylan G-F 20 as per standard usage protocol alone for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (OA). DESIGN: Nonrandomized prospective study in which patients chose their treatment group. Follow-up averaged 1.1 years. SETTING: Faculty practice of a single physician at a major teaching hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Eighty-one patients with documented knee OA on magnetic resonance imaging. INTERVENTIONS: Group 1 (n=44) received a single-needle lavage 1 week before the standard hylan G-F 20 protocol; group 2 (n=37) received the standard hylan G-F 20 protocol alone. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Pre- and posttreatment scores on the Lysholm-II Questionnaire and a visual analog scale (VAS) were documented for each patient. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A successful outcome was noted in 79.5% of group 1 patients and in 54% of group 2 patients (P<.05). CONCLUSIONS: In the management of knee OA, the use of knee lavage before viscosupplementation with hylan G-F 20 yields better results than using hylan G-F 20 alone. The presence of radiologic grade IV knee OA or moderate to severe patellofemoral arthritis are negative prognostic factors.     

Changes in sagittal ground reaction forces after intra-articular hyaluronate injections for knee osteoarthritis

OBJECTIVES: To examine the gait patterns and the sagittal ground reaction forces (GRFs) in persons with knee osteoarthritis (OA) after intra-articular injection of hyaluronate and to investigate the duration of its treatment effectiveness. DESIGN: Case-comparison study. SETTING: Gait laboratory in a tertiary care center. PARTICIPANTS: Fifteen subjects (30 knees) with symptomatic knee OA (stage I or II, according to the Ahlb?ck grading system), and 15 age-, mass-, and gender-matched non-OA control subjects (30 knees). INTERVENTION: After initial gait analysis, the group with knee OA received 5 weekly intra-articular injections of hyaluronate to bilateral knees. Gait analysis was performed again for the group with knee OA after the completion of hyaluronate injections. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Forceplate sagittal GRFs and gait parameters of velocity, cadence, step length, and stride time. RESULTS: The distinctive 2-peak force vector GRF was lost in persons with knee OA. The first peak rise time was significantly delayed (P<.05). The group with knee OA also revealed slower walking velocity and cadence, as well as longer stride time, than the control group (P<.05). The distinctive 2-peak force vector GRF diagram could be recovered in patients with knee OA after the completion of hyaluronate injections. CONCLUSIONS: Gait patterns and GRFs improved significantly after intra-articular knee injection of hyaluronate in persons with Ahlb?ck stages I and II knee OA. The clinical treatment effect was immediate and may last for 6 months or more.     

Effect of hylan G-F 20 in Achilles' tendonitis: an experimental study in rats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the local effects of hylan G-F 20 on locally administered corticosteroid-induced experimental Achilles' tendonitis. DESIGN: Before-after trial. SETTING: Institutional practice. ANIMALS: Convenience sample of 18 male Wistar white rats (weight range, 322-375 g). INTERVENTIONS: After performing Achilles' degeneration with local corticosteroid injections, the rats were divided into 4 groups. The right Achilles' tendon of the rats served as the hylan injection group and the left tendon as the control group, which was injected with saline at 5-day intervals. The tendons and paratenons were excised at the end of 60 or 75 days and evaluated histopathologically and statistically. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Histopathologic changes, including staining affinity, nuclear appearance, fibrillar appearance for tendon and thickness, occurrence of fibrosis and edema, capillary changes, and inflammation for paratenon, were assessed according to a semiquantitative scoring system. The Mann-Whitney U test was used for statistical analysis, with a P value of.05 or less considered statistically significant. RESULTS: Semiquantitative scoring of histopathologic changes showed that histologic appearances differed between the hylan and saline groups and between 2 hylan groups. Hylan-injected tendons and paratenons demonstrated significantly lower scores, especially after 75 days. CONCLUSIONS: Hylan G-F 20 has a promising curative effect on the tendon and paratenon and can be used in Achilles' tendonitis. This finding should be supported by biomechanical and biochemical studies.     

关节腔内注射富血小板血浆对膝关节骨关节炎康复的影响

目的 探讨关节腔内注射富血小板血浆(platelet-rich plasma,PRP)对膝关节骨关节炎(knee osteoarthritis,KOA)疼痛、关节功能及肌力的改善作用.方法 选择2017年3月-2019年8月哈尔滨医科大学附属第一医院骨科诊治的KOA患者100例,采用随机数字表法分为干预组和对照组各50例,干预组给予关节腔内注射PRP(5 mL/次,隔1周注射1次,共注射6次)联合等速肌力训练(2次/d,3 d/周,连续12周)治疗,对照组给予关节腔内注射玻璃酸钠(2mL/次,1次/周,连续12周)联合等速肌力训练(2次/d,3 d/周,连续12周)治疗.记录治疗过程中不良反应发生情况及治疗12周、治疗完成后6个月临床疗效,分别于治疗前、治疗12周及治疗完成后6个月采用西安大略和麦克马斯特大学骨关节炎指数(Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index,WOMAC)评分系统评估膝关节功能.应用等速肌力训练仪测定角度为90°/s时,膝关节屈肌、伸肌峰力矩(peak torque,PT)、总功量(total work,TW)、平均功率(average power,AP).结果 两组各49例患者完成研究.干预组和对照组治疗前WOMAC疼痛、僵硬、关节功能评分,伸肌及屈肌PT、TW、AP比较差异均无统计学意义(P＞0.05);两组治疗12周、治疗完成后6个月WOMAC疼痛、僵硬、关节功能评分均低于治疗前(p＜0.05),伸肌及屈肌PT、TW、AP均高于治疗前(P＜0.05);且干预组治疗完成后6个月WOMAC疼痛、僵硬、关节功能评分均低于对照组(P＜0.05),伸肌及屈肌PT、TW、AP均高于对照组(P＜0.05).干预组和对照组治疗12周有效率差异无统计学意义(95.9％ vs.89.8％,P＞0.05),干预组治疗后6个月有效率高于对照组(93.9％vs.79.6％,P＜0.05).两组治疗过程中均未发生严重不良反应.结论 关节腔内注射PRP可减轻KOA患者疼痛,改善肌力,提高关节功能,且远期疗效较常规药物好.     

Intra-articular injections for osteoarthritis of the knee

If usual medical measures fail to control the pain of knee osteoarthritis and allow the patient to cope with its symptoms, intra-articular injections of a corticosteroid, a hyaluronan, or both can be tried.     

Accuracy of intra-articular injections for osteoarthritis of the trapeziometacarpal joint

A study was conducted to determine the accuracy of intra-articular injections for osteoarthritis (OA) of the trapeziometacarpal joint (TMCJ). Over a period of 12 months intra-articular injections on 60 TMCJs (12 males and 48 females) were carried out. All the injections were performed in the operating theatre. The operator inserted the needle into the position clinically assessed to be the TMCJ and the position was assessed using biplanar fluoroscopy. In 42% of cases, the needle was incorrectly placed and its position had to be adjusted, using fluoroscopy, to ensure correct intra-articular placement. Entry into an osteoarthritic TMCJ with a blind passage of the needle is not straightforward. A proper injection technique must be employed to enter the correct joint. Using an image intensifier greatly facilitates accurate needle placement.     

Effects of a customized biomechanical therapy on patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis

ObjectivePrevious studies have shown that a customized biomechanical therapy can improve symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. These studies were small and did not compare the improvements across gender, age, BMI or initial severity of knee osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of new biomechanical therapy on the pain, function and quality of life of patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis.MethodsSix hundred and fifty-four patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis were examined before and after 12 weeks of a personalized biomechanical therapy (AposTherapy). Patients were evaluated using the Western Ontario and McMaster Osteoarthritis (WOMAC) Index and SF-36 Health Survey.ResultsAfter 12 weeks of treatment, the WOMAC-pain and WOMAC-function subscales were significantly lower compared to baseline (both P ≤ 0.001). All eight categories of the SF-36 health survey significantly improved after treatment (all P ≤ 0.001). Females and younger patients showed greater improvements with therapy.ConclusionsTwelve weeks of a customized biomechanical therapy (AposTherapy) improved symptoms of patients with medial compartment knee osteoarthritis. We recommend that this therapy will be integrated in the management of knee osteoarthritis.     

玻璃酸钠关节腔灌注联合治疗膝骨关节炎疗效观察

目的观察玻璃酸钠关节腔灌注治疗对膝骨关节炎患者的疗效。方法将57例膝骨关节炎患者随机分为玻璃酸钠治疗组和常规治疗组,用VAS标准评估所有患者基线和5周、12周后20 m步行痛、关节触痛、WOMAC骨关节炎指数。结果在5周、12周后玻璃酸钠治疗组和常规治疗组患者20 m步行痛程度、关节触痛、WOMAC（VAS法）均较基线时有明显改善（P〈0.05）。5周、12周后玻璃酸钠治疗组的20 m步行痛程度、关节触痛、WOMAC（VAS）均较常规治疗组有明显改善（P〈0.05）。结论常规治疗能明显改善膝骨关节炎患者临床症状、提高患者生活质量,联合玻璃酸钠关节腔灌注疗效更佳。     

A new strategy to tackle severe knee osteoarthritis: Combination of intra-articular and intraosseous injections of Platelet Rich Plasma

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is a mechanically induced, cytokine and enzyme-mediated disorder involving all the joint tissue of the knee. Rebuilding a physiological-homeostatic network at the tissue level following knee organ failure, such as in severe KOA, is a daunting task with therapeutic targets encompassing the articular cartilage, synovium and subchondral bone. Intraarticular infiltration of plasma rich in growth factors (PRP) has emerged as a promising symptomatic approach, although it is insufficient to reach the subchondral bone.

Areas covered: This review addresses current molecular and cellular data in joint homeostasis and osteoarthritis pathophysiology. In particular, it focuses on changes that subchondral bone undergoes in knee osteoarthritis and evaluates recent observations on the crosstalk among articular cartilage, subchondral bone and synovial membrane. In addition, we review some mechanistic aspects that have been proposed and provide the rationale for using PRP intraosseously in KOA.

Expert opinion: The knee joint is a paradigm of autonomy and connectedness of its anatomical structures and tissues from which it is made. We propose an innovative approach to the treatment of severe knee osteoarthritis consisting of a combination of intraarticular and intraosseous infiltrations of PRP, which might offer a new therapeutic tool in KOA therapy.     

关节腔加压灌洗治疗重度膝骨关节炎临床效果观察

目的 探讨关节腔加压灌洗治疗重度膝骨关节炎炎性积液的疗效和安全性.方法 重度膝骨关节炎积液患者117例(137膝),按积液量分为治疗组61例(69膝),对照组56例(68膝).两组均第1周给以复方倍他米松,第2～6周注射玻璃酸钠,共6周为1疗程.治疗组在注射玻璃酸钠前加用关节腔加压灌洗.参照Lequesne骨关节炎评估法制定观察表,记录治疗前后积液量、疼痛、功能评分及不良反应.结果 117例患者均完成治疗,治疗组在关节积液量、疼痛和功能评定上明显优于对照组(P ＜ 0.05).结论 关节腔加压灌洗治疗重度膝骨关节炎炎性积液的疗效明显优于不进行加压灌洗治疗,无明显不良反应.     

Ultrasonographic assessment of Baker's cysts after intra-articular corticosteroid injection in knee osteoarthritis

PURPOSE: To assess sonographic changes in Baker's cysts (BCs) of patients with knee osteoarthritis after a single intra-articular corticosteroid injection. METHODS: Thirty patients with knee osteoarthritis complicated with a symptomatic BC received a single intra-articular injection of 40 mg triamcinolone acetonide. Knee pain, swelling, and range of motion were evaluated. BC area and thickness of the cyst wall were measured with sonography before and 4 weeks after local treatment. RESULTS: A significant improvement in knee pain, swelling, and range of motion after corticosteroid injection was accompanied by a decrease in size of the BCs as well as in thickness of the cyst wall as measured by sonography. Moreover, the reduction of BC area on sagittal scans after treatment was significantly correlated with the improvement in range of motion. CONCLUSIONS: In this series of osteoarthritis patients, injection of corticosteroids inside the knee joint accounted for a reduction in BC dimensions as well as cyst wall thickness. Sonography can be used not only for the diagnosis of BCs but also to monitor response to therapy.     

玻璃酸钠关节内注射治疗膝关节骨性关节炎的临床研究

骨性关节炎(osteoarthritis,OA)又称退行性关节病、骨质增生、骨关节病,是以关节软骨进行性损害为特征的慢性关节紊乱综合征,是中老年常见疾病,其病理变化包括软骨退变,软骨下骨硬化及囊性变形使关节边缘骨质增生以及滑膜慢性炎症等.     

超声引导下关节腔内注射高渗葡萄糖溶液治疗高原地区膝关节骨性关节炎

目的 观察以超声引导下关节腔内注射高渗葡萄糖(HG)治疗高原地区膝关节骨性关节炎的价值。方法 纳入91例高原地区膝关节骨性关节炎患者共124个病变膝关节,根据治疗药物将膝关节分为20%HG组(n=67)、25%HG组(n=42)及玻璃酸钠组(n=15);比较治疗前、后临床及超声评分,评估疗效。结果 治疗后第12、48周,3组视觉模拟评分法(VAS)评分均较治疗前降低(P均<0.05),20%HG组和25%HG组Lysholm评分均较治疗前升高(P均<0.05)。25%HG组治疗前与治疗后第12周Lysholm评分差值、治疗前与治疗后第48周VAS评分差值均高于20%HG组(P均<0.05)。20%HG组治疗后第48周关节渗出评分较治疗前降低(P<0.05),治疗后第12及48周滑膜血流评分较治疗前降低(P均<0.05);25%HG组治疗后第48周关节渗出评分较治疗前降低(P<0.05),治疗后第12及48周滑膜增生和滑膜血流评分均较治疗前降低(P均<0.05);玻璃酸钠组治疗后第48周关节渗出评分较治疗前降低(P<0.05),治疗后第12...