Efficacy and tolerability of Hyaluronic acid in acute knee injury: a controlled clinical study

The results of a short term, controlled, single-blind trial in 50 patients (34 M/16 F) with acute knee injury (I or II degree assessed by cvlinical examination) are presented. Patients were randomly allocated to the treatment group (24 patients), or to the untreated control group (26 patients). Treatment consisted of intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid 20 mg/2 ml (Hyalgan® Fidia S.p.A., Italy) at baseline (Day 0), and on Days 21, 28, and 35. On Day 0, the affected joint of each patient was immobilised using a bandage. From Day 1 to Day 21 the knee was immobilised in a cast. Efficacy and tolerability were evaluated on Days 1, 21, 28, 35, 42, and 58 compared with baseline values. Subjective parameters (night pain, pain at rest, pain on movement, pain on pressure) and objective parameters (joint motion in flexion and extension) improved to a greater extent extent in the treated group than in the control group. The Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale for evaluating joint performance showed an earlier and better improvement in the treated group on Days 28, 42, and 58. No local nor systemic adverse events were reported