Role of hylan G-F 20 in treatment of osteoarthritis of the hip joint.

OBJECTIVE

To study the efficacy of hylan G-F 20 in the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip joint.

DESIGN

Prospective within-group study.

SETTING

Musculoskeletal rehabilitation clinic.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-two patients (25 hips) with hip joint OA who had failed to find pain relief from conservative methods such as physical therapy, exercises, and steroid injections. Demographics included 14 men and 11 women (mean age, 56.4y), 21 of whom had mild to moderate OA and 4 of whom had severe OA of the hips.

INTERVENTION

Each hip joint was injected with 2mL of hylan G-F 20 at 2, 3, and 4 weeks and fluoroscopic lavage with 100mL of normal saline at week 1. All patients had standard hip exercise regimen after the injection.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Lower Limb Core Scale score and visual numeric pain score.

RESULTS

At 1-year follow-up, the AAOS Lower Limb Core Scale score improved from a preinjection mean of 44.2 to a follow-up mean of 86.1 (P<.05). The mean visual numeric pain score improved from a preinjection mean of 8.7 (range, 6.4-10) to a follow-up mean of 2.3 (range, 0-7.2). The overall success rate was 84%. In patients with mild to moderate OA, the mean pain score decreased from a preinjection value of 7.8 to a follow-up value of 1.7. The success rate was 90.5% in that subgroup. In patients with severe OA, the mean pain score decreased from a preinjection value of 9.1 to a follow-up value of 3.8. The success rate was 50% in that subgroup. There were no complications related to the injection.

CONCLUSION

Use of hylan G-F 20 injection is a viable option for treatment of mild to moderate OA of the hip joint.