Evaluation on the Effectiveness of Intraarticular Hyaluronic Acid Products as Dual Treatment in Chinese Population

Abstract

Background: Intraarticular hyaluronic acid injection is a common treatment option for osteoarthritis that has proven efficacy and safety. This study aims at investigating the effectiveness of a dual treatment on the physical and life condition of knee osteoarthritis patients in the Chinese population. Methods: Patients with knee osteoarthritis received intraarticular injection of 2 hyaluronic acid products, namely RegenFlex Starter and RegenFlex Bio-Plus, with the latter injected one week subsequent to the first injection. The change in the range of movement, synovial fluid volume, pain score and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score were compared and followed up to 6 months after injection. Results: 84 patients with unilateral or bilateral knee osteoarthritis were involved in the study. 50 of them had synovial fluid detected prior to injections while 34 had not. The volume of synovial fluid was significantly reduced from 10 mL to 5 mL after hyaluronic acid injection. Significant improvements were also found in three Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score subcategories, namely Pain, Symptoms and Activities of Daily Living. A visual analogue scale for the pain scores of patients after injections showed significant decrement up to 6 months afterward. Conclusion: A dual hyaluronic acid injection treatment of RegenFlex Starter and Bio-Plus is effective in reducing pain and improving daily functional capacities of patients in the Chinese population.