Hyaluronic acid versus methylprednisolone intra-articularly injected for treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee

In this multicenter study we compared the activity and tolerability of sodium hyaluronate (HA) and 6-methylprednisolone acetate (6-MPA) administered by intra-articular route to patients suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee. The study was conducted with an open design since different regimens were used for the two treatments. HA was administered once a week for five weeks, and 6-MPA once a week for three weeks. During the two months of follow-up the following parameters were assessed: spontaneous pain, rest pain, load pain, touch pain, joint motion, morning stiffness, and volume of effusion. Ninety patients were treated in all, each randomly allocated to one of the treatment groups. The results of our study showed that both treatments were efficacous in reducing the symptoms linked with osteoarthritis of the knee. The steroid had a more rapid action, which did not, however, last as long as that of HA. Indeed, at the final examination most parameters showed significant differences between the treatments.