Comparing the effectiveness of intra articular hyaluronic acid injection and intra articular corticosteroid injection in symptomatic osteoarthritis knee

Abstract

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) knee is a most common chronic degenerative condition effecting old age group individuals. Intraarticular (IA) injections is the final non-operative modality and includes corticosteroids, viscosupplements and blood-derived products. In this study we compare the therapeutic efficacy of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) and corticosteroids (CS) for OA knee. Methods: It is prospective randomized study done during April 2016 to January 2018. Total 100 patients with OA knee were enrolled and randomised into two groups. Patients receiving Hyaluronic acid (group A) and Corticosteroids (Group B). Patients were graded using Kellgren and Lawrence classification. Visual analogue score and Knee society score were calculated before giving injections and at 1st-month, 3rd-month and 6th-month post treatment and results were compared.Results: Group A and Group B includes 50 patient in each group. The mean age of the study population is 64 years with majority being females (81 patients). At one month, group B group had better pain relief and functional outcome compared to group A. At 3 months, Group A had better functional outcome, whereas, there was no significant difference in pain relief between both the groups. At 6 months, patients in both the groups had pain relief and improved functional outcome compared to baseline, but there was no significant difference in outcome between both the groups.Conclusion: Short term efficacy is better in CS compared to HA. Both group A and Group B had no significant difference in pain relief and functional outcome by the end of 6 months.