Why carry out this study?

The use of intra-articular administration of hyaluronic acid is well established for the relief of joint pain and to improve joint function in knee osteoarthritis.

We conducted a prospective, double-blind, 24-week study to compare a single intra-articular injection of an innovative high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid formulation (HA-HL) versus placebo in treating moderate-to-severe symptomatic knee osteoarthritis.

What was learned from the study?

A single intra-articular injection of high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid is more effective than placebo in treating the pain associated with moderate-to-severe knee osteoarthritis. The clinically relevant effects on pain, functionality, and health-related quality of life are quickly achieved and sustained throughout 24 weeks of follow-up.

This study shows that a single intra-articular injection of an innovative formulation containing high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid is safe as placebo with a similar incidence of adverse events.

The single intra-articular administration of this new hyaluronic acid formulation represents a safe, effective, rapid, and sustained therapeutic strategy that opens new perspectives: improved adherence to hyaluronic acid treatments; improved safety because of the reduction in the number of injections; and the achievement of an onset of action similar to corticosteroids, the substitution of which would reduce the risk of steroid-related adverse events.