Intra-articular cross-linked hyaluronic acid-dexamethasone (cHA-Dex) hydrogel injection attenuated osteoarthritis (OA) macroscopically. Following anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) surgical induction of OA, micro X-Ray (a) was used to evaluate the severity of OA in the right knee before the animals were euthanized; (b) Gross morphological cartilage lesion and fibrillation in the rat tibial plateau were visualized by Indian ink staining; (c) Radiographic osteophytosis was graded subjectively on a scale from 0 to 3 (0-normal, 1-mild, 2-moderate, 3-severe) based on the severity of osteophytosis at the margins of the knee joint; (d) Cartilage lesions and fibrillation was quantified using the Meachim grading system. Data were expressed as means ± SD. *, compared with ACLT + saline group, designated as * p < 0.05, ** p < 0.01 and *** p < 0.001; #, compared with ACLT + cHA gel group, designated as # p < 0.05, and ### p < 0.001.n = 10.