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Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring glycosaminoglycan found in synovial fluid and other tissues. In the United States, several intra-articular hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate products are cleared through FDA premarket approval as medical devices for knee osteoarthritis pain. These products differ in concentration, molecular characteristics, source, and injection schedule.
read more about hyaluronic acid ...Hyaluronic acid is a major viscoelastic component of synovial fluid. Intra-articular preparations are injected into the knee joint to supplement hyaluronan in osteoarthritic synovial fluid. The exact mechanism responsible for pain reduction is not fully established and differs from the mechanism of oral pain relievers.
FDA-approved intra-articular hyaluronic acid products are intended for knee osteoarthritis pain in patients who have not responded adequately to conservative nonpharmacologic therapy and simple analgesics such as acetaminophen. Eligibility and product selection depend on the specific device labeling and clinical evaluation.
A healthcare professional injects the product directly into the knee joint. The schedule depends on the specific product. FDA-approved regimens range from a single injection to a series of two to five weekly injections per knee. Products are not assumed to be interchangeable on a dose-for-dose basis.
Reported risks include knee pain, swelling, effusion, stiffness, injection-site reactions, and infection related to intra-articular procedures. Allergic or anaphylactic reactions and transient low blood pressure have also been reported with sodium hyaluronate preparations. Product-specific contraindications and source-related allergy warnings are checked before treatment.
Intra-articular hyaluronic acid products are used to treat knee osteoarthritis pain after inadequate response to conservative therapy and simple analgesics.
No. FDA-approved products use different amounts and schedules, ranging from one injection to several weekly injections.
The preparation is injected directly into the affected knee joint by a healthcare professional.
Yes. Knee swelling, effusion, pain, stiffness, and injection-site reactions have been reported.
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