Intra-articular injections for the treatment of osteoarthritis: focus on the clinical use of hyaluronic acid

Drugs R D. 2011;11(1):13-27. doi: 10.2165/11539760-000000000-00000.

Abstract

Osteoarthritis (OA), also called degenerative joint disease, is the most frequently occurring chronic musculoskeletal disease, particularly affecting the aging population. The use of viscosupplementation, i.e. intra-articular (IA) hyaluronic acid (HA) drug therapy, to treat OA, is growing worldwide, due to important results obtained from several clinical trials, which reported IA HA-related improvements in functional activity and pain management. This review is an update of the IA use of this compound in the treatment of OA, with clinical evidence from the last few years being discussed and used to delineate new trends for the future.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / administration & dosage
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Clinical Trials as Topic
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronic Acid / administration & dosage
  • Hyaluronic Acid / pharmacology
  • Hyaluronic Acid / therapeutic use*
  • Injections, Intra-Articular
  • Osteoarthritis / drug therapy*
  • Risk Factors
  • Viscosupplements / administration & dosage
  • Viscosupplements / pharmacology
  • Viscosupplements / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Viscosupplements
  • Hyaluronic Acid