Efficacy of intra-articular injection of methylene blue combined with sodium hyaluronate in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis

Abstract

Objective To observe the efficacy of intra-articular injection of methylene blue combined with sodium hyaluronate in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis. Methods A total of 185 patients (236 knees) with knee osteoarthritis were treated with 0.1% methylene blue (20 ml) combined with sodium hyaluronate 25 mg/2.5ml intra-articular injection, including 56 male cases (69 knees) and 129 female cases (167 knees), age ranged from 48 to 78 years old, the follow-up time was 3, 6 months. All the patients were evaluated by imaging before intra-articular injection and the destruction degree of cartilage in knee joint were observed. VAS and HSS scores were recorded before injection, and at 1 day, 7 days, 3 months and 6 months after injection. Results All patients were able to move in 6-8 h after injection, knee pain was significantly decreased or disappeared (P<0.05). VAS and HSS scores were significantly improved at 1 day, 7 days, 3 months and 6 months after injection than those before injection (P<0.05). Conclusion Methylene blue combined with sodium hyaluronate intra-articular injection is effective in the treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis. Key words: Osteoarthritis, knee; Methylene blue; Hyaluronate; Injection, intra-articular