Citations
To compare extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) with hyaluronic acid (HA) intra-articular injections in terms of pain relief, improvement in hand function, and strength in subjects with first carpometacarpal (CMC) joint osteoarthritis.
Fifty-eight patients received either focused ESWT or HA injection once a week for 3 consecutive weeks. In the ESWT group, 2,400 consecutive pulses were performed during each treatment session using a frequency of 4 Hz and an energy flux density of 0.09 mJ/mm2. The HA group underwent one cycle of three injections of 0.5 cm3 HA. The main outcome measures were pain and hand function as measured by the visual analogue scale (VAS) and Duruoz Hand Index (DHI), respectively. The secondary outcomes were grip and pinch strength. Each assessment was performed at baseline, at the end of treatment, and at 3- and 6-month follow-up visits.
According to VAS and DHI scores, a significant change in test performance was observed over time in both groups (p<0.001), with a greater average improvement in painful symptomatology at the 6-month follow-up in the ESWT group. A significant improvement in strength was observed in both groups, but the ESWT group showed better results on the pinch test starting immediately at the end of treatment.
The use of ESWT in patients with first CMC joint osteoarthritis leads to a reduction in pain, an improvement in pinch test performance that persists for at least 6 months, and a decrease in hand disability up to the 6-month follow-up visit.
Citations
To evaluate and compare the effects and outcomes of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) and intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid (HA) in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA).
Of the 78 patients recruited for the study, 61 patients met the inclusion criteria. The enrolled patients were randomly divided into two groups: the ESWT group and the HA group. The ESWT group underwent 3 sessions of 1,000 shockwave pulses performed on the affected knee with the dosage adjusted to 0.05 mJ/mm2 energy. The HA group was administered intra-articular HA once a week for 3 weeks with a 1-week interval between each treatment. The results were measured with the visual analogue scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), Lequesne index, 40-m fast-paced walk test, and stair-climb test (SCT). A baseline for each test was measured before treatment and then the effects of the treatments were measured by each test at 1 and 3 months after treatment.
In both groups, the scores of the VAS, WOMAC, Lequesne index, 40-m fast-paced walk test, and SCT were significantly improved in a time-dependent manner (p<0.01). There were no statistically significant differences measured at 1 and 3 months after treatment between the two groups (p>0.05).
The ESWT can be an alternative treatment to reduce pain and improve physical functions in patients with knee OA.
Citations
To evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IAHA) injection for hemiplegic shoulder pain (HSP) after stroke.
Thirty-one patients with HSP and limited range of motion (ROM) without spasticity of upper extremity were recruited. All subjects were randomly allocated to group A (n=15) for three weekly IAHA injection or group B (n=16) for a single intra-articular steroid (IAS) injection. All injections were administered by an expert physician until the 8th week using a posterior ultrasonography-guided approach. Shoulder joint pain was measured using the Wong-Baker Scale (WBS), while passive ROM was measured in the supine position by an expert physician.
There were no significant intergroup differences in WBS or ROM at the 8th week. Improvements in forward flexion and external rotation were observed from the 4th week in the IAHA group and the 8th week in the IAS group. Subjects experienced a statistically significant improvement in pain from the 1st week in the IAS and from the 8th week in IAHA group, respectively.
IAHA seems to have a less potent ability to reduce movement pain compared to steroid in the early period. However, there was no statistically significant intergroup difference in WBS and ROM improvements at the 8th week. IAHA might be a good alternative to steroid for managing HSP when the use of steroid is limited.
Citations
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of intra-articular hyaluronic acid and steroid injection in osteoarthritis of the knee.
Method: Among 653 patients with osteoarthritis, 531 patients were participated in this study. They were divided to three groups; A, treated with hyaluronic acid 2.5 ml intra-articular injection once a week for 5 times; B, hyaluronic acid 2.5 ml once a week for 5 times with triamcinolone 20 mg once at the first time; C, only triamcinolone 20 mg at the first time. Before injection, X-ray with standing view were checked and divided according to Kellgren's grade of osteoarthritis. The amount of pain relief was assessed by pain rating score (PRS) and visual analogue scale (VAS) 1 week before and 1 month after the treatment.
Results: The degree of pain relief by PRS and VAS were all improved at 1 month after injection compared with pre-injection status (p<0.001). Intra-articular hyaluronic acid injection was more effective in Kellgren's grade I, II than in III, IV in pain relief and hyaluronic acid with steroid injection was more effective in III, IV.
Conclusion: The results suggest that intra-articular hyaluronic acid injection would be effective for the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis.
Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of intraarticular injection of hyaluronic acid and steroid in adhesive capsulitis of shoulder.
Method: Thirty-nine patients with adhesive capsulitis of shoulder were assigned at random to receive intraarticular injection into the glenohumeral joint. The treatment groups were divided into three: group A, triamcinolone 1 ml and 1% lidocaine 3 ml and normal saline 25 ml; group B, hyaluronic acid 2 ml and 1% lidocaine 3 ml and normal saline 25 ml; group C, hyaluronic acid 2 ml and 1% lidocaine 3 ml. The same physical therapy program was carried out for all patients. Pain was assessed by visual analogue scale (VAS) and range of motion (flexion, abduction, internal rotation and external rotation) was measured before injection, and at 30 minutes, 1 week and 2 weeks after injection.
Results: The shoulder range of motion (ROM) and VAS of three groups were all improved at 30 minutes, 1 week and 2 weeks after injection compared with those of preinjection, but there was no significant difference in ROM and VAS among three groups.
Conclusion: We concluded that intraarticular injection of hyaluronic acid would be a good treatment method in adhesive capsulitis of shoulder, specially in patients with risk of steroid use.
Objective: Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan which, by virtue of its viscosity, elasticity and other theological properties, acts as lubrication and shock absorbing fluid in joints. In addition to its lubrication and cushioning properties, hyaluronic acid has been associated with in vitro anti-inflammatory activity and possible disease-modifying effect in animals. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of intraarticular injection of hyaluronic acid or steroid on the healing of the experimental degenerative osteoarthritis and the therapeutic synergism between the hyaluronic acid and steroid.
Method: 48 rabbits with experimental osteoarthritis produced by extension immobilization of knees were treated with hyaluronic acid and/or steroid and then assessed clinically, radiologically, scintigraphically and histopathologically at pre and post treatment.
Results: The hyaluronic acid treated group had more favorable results than other groups but the results were not statistically significant. The steroid treated group did not have significant change in comparison to the control group. Therapeutic synergism between hyaluronic acid and steroid was not found.
Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the intraarticular injection of hyaluronic acid may be effective for the treatment of patients with osteoarthritis.