Turkish Journal of
GERIATRICS

Ankara Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Klinik İmmünoloji ve Romatoloji Bilim Dalı, ANKARA The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular injection of hyaluronan preparation in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Thirty-five knee of 21 female patients with osteoarthritis were included in the study. The patients were treated with five injections, once weekly, of sodium hyaluronate and were followed for 21 weeks. Efficacy was assessed by knee pain score and stiffness and flexion angle of knee. Knee pain score and stiffness was performed according to WOMAC osteoarthritis index and Likert scale. Flexion angle of knee was measured by goniometer in degrees. Measurements were obtained at baseline, and they were repeated at weeks 5, 9, 16, and 21. Following the intraarticular hyaluronate therapy, there were rapid improvements in all efficacy parameters. Despite the duration on therapy is only 5 weeks, the improvements were generally sustained during the entire 21 weeks follow-up period. Systemic adverse reaction was not seen in patients. Our findings suggest that intra-articular injections of sodium hyaluronate are generally well tolerated and may represent a valuable alternative approach to the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis. Keywords : Knee osteoarthritis, Intraarticular therapy, Sodium hyaluronate, WOMAC index, Likert scale, Flexion angle