Clinical experience with the effectiveness and tolerability of hylan G-F 20 in 1047 patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.

This retrospective review evaluates the effectiveness and tolerability of hylan G-F 20 for relief of pain due to knee osteoarthritis in a large orthopedic practice over a 5-year period. Prospectively collected data from patients who initiated intra-articular hylan G-F 20 (3 weekly injections) for osteoarthritis knee pain treatment were analyzed. Efficacy variables included physician visual analogue scale (VAS: 100 mm), and patient rating of pain, mobility, and amount of pain medication taken after treatment. Patients (n=1047; 1489 knees) were an average age of 65.3 years, 60% female, and 71% had radiologic osteoarthritis grade IV. Mean VAS scores significantly improved with hylan G-F 20 compared to baseline at all time points (P<.0001). Most knees (62%-89%) responded positively with hylan G-F 20. Pain and mobility improved and less pain medication was needed after therapy. The incidences of local adverse events were 5.2% per patient and 1.2% per injection; most local adverse events were mild or moderate, with severe local events in 0.3% of injections. Our clinical experience shows that hylan G-F 20 effectively relieves osteoarthritis knee pain (as indicated) and reduces pain medication needed for up to 6 months with a low incidence of local adverse events.