How It Works
Hyaluronan is a substance that doctors inject directly into your knee joint, where it may help supplement the knee joint's natural synovial fluid, relieving pain and improving your ability to use the knee. This treatment is also called viscosupplementation.
Treatment includes 3 or 5 shots into the knee joint over 3 to 5 weeks.
After an injection, some people may experience pain or swelling.
Why It Is Used
Doctors use hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid) to treat osteoarthritis of the knee that has not improved with other treatment (such as acetaminophen and physical therapy).
How Well It Works
Results of some studies have shown that hyaluronan injections have improved the symptoms of osteoarthritis and joint function in some people.1 Results in other studies have been inconclusive about the effectiveness of hyaluronan injections.2
Side Effects
Hyaluronan injections may cause pain or swelling. Tell your health professional if you are allergic to birds, feathers, or egg products.
The long-term effects of repeated hyaluronan injections into the knee joint are not known.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Hyaluronan injections may provide relief for people with knee pain.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)
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References
Citations
Wang CT, et al. (2004). Therapeutic effects of hyaluronic acid on osteoarthritis of the knee: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 86-A(3): 538–545.
Lo GH, et al. (2003). Intra-articular hyaluronic acid in treatment of knee osteoarthritis. JAMA, 290(23): 3115–3121.
Credits
| Author | Robin Parks, MS |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman, MATC |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology |
| Last Updated | April 20, 2007 |