Hyaluronan injections for osteoarthritis of the knee

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
hyaluronic acid	Durolane
hylan	Synvisc
sodium hyaluronate	Hyalgan, NeoVisc, Orthovisc

How It Works

Hyaluronan is a substance that doctors inject directly into your knee joint, where it may help supplement the knee joint's natural synovial fluid, relieving pain and improving your ability to use the knee. This treatment is also called viscosupplementation.

Treatment includes 3 or 5 shots into the knee joint over 3 to 5 weeks. Durolane is given as a single shot.

After an injection, some people may experience pain or swelling.

Why It Is Used

Doctors use hyaluronan (hyaluronic acid) to treat osteoarthritis of the knee that has not improved with other treatment (such as analgesics, anti-inflammatory drugs, and physiotherapy).

How Well It Works

Results of some studies have shown that hyaluronan injections have improved the symptoms of osteoarthritis and joint function in some people.¹ Results in other studies have been inconclusive about the effectiveness of hyaluronan injections.²

Side Effects

Hyaluronan injections may cause pain or swelling. Tell your health professional if you are allergic to birds, feathers, or egg products.

The long-term effects of repeated hyaluronan injections into the knee joint are not known.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Hyaluronan injections may offer an alternative to people with severe knee pain.

Hyaluronan injections can be expensive.

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Author:	Douglas Dana Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: July 24, 2007
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Brian D. O'Brien, MD - Internal Medicine Stanford M. Shoor, MD - Rheumatology
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