Effect of hyaluronic acid/chondroitin sulfate on healing of full-thickness tendon lacerations in rabbits.

Viscoat, a high-molecular-weight, highly purified hyaluronic acid (HA) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) compound, was instilled around rabbit plantaris tendon following full-thickness laceration and surgical repair. After 3 weeks of immobilization, no significant difference in adhesion strength or tensile strength of the healing tendons existed between Viscoat-treated tendons and controls. This contradicts previous studies which suggest that hyaluronic acid reduces postoperative tendon adhesions. Further studies examining tendon adhesions after less severe degrees of tendon injury and using direct, quantitative measurement techniques are warranted to demonstrate whether HA has a beneficial effect on tendon healing.