ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Minerva Ortopedica e Traumatologica 2013 June;64(3):341-6

Copyright © 2013 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Efficacy and safety assessment of hyaluronic acid injection for hip osteoarthritis: experience in the Azienda Ospedaliera Città della Salute e della Scienza, Torino

Celani R. ¹, Parisi S. ², Caviglia S. ¹, Laganà A. ², Ruggieri N. ¹, Fusaro E. ² ✉

¹ S.C. Ortopedia e Traumatologia, A.O.U. San Giovanni Battista di Torino; ² S.C. Reumatologia, A.O.U. San Giovanni Battista di Torino

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and tolerability of ultrasound-guided intra-articular hyaluronic acid injection in patients with symptomatic hip osteoarthritis.
Methods: The study population was 62 patients with osteoarthritis selected according to the American College of Rheumatology criteria. Patients received 2 ml (32 mg/2 ml) mid-to-high-molecular-weight (800-1200 kDa) biofermented hyaluronic acid and were monitored for 12 months following intra-articular injection.
Results: Treatment was assessed by means of a visual analogue scale (VAS) and use of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). An improvement in pain as measured by changes in VAS scores was observed at 6 months in all patients (100%), with a mean reduction of 45.20%. Improvement in VAS pain scores was unchanged at 12 months in 32 patients (P=0.007). A significant reduction in the use of NSAIDs was noted at 6 months in all patients and a reduction of 40% in NSAIDs at 12 months in all patients.
Conclusion: The efficacy and tolerability of this treatment indicate that ultrasound-guided intra-articular hyaluronic acid injection may be offered to the majority of patients with hip osteoarthritis.