Acute local reactions after intraarticular hylan for osteoarthritis of the knee.

OBJECTIVE

To describe acute local reactions following intraarticular hylan injection and determine their frequency.

METHODS

Retrospective review of all patients with osteoarthritis of the knee treated with hylan by 3 rheumatologists.

RESULTS

Twenty-two patients had 88 injections to 28 knees. Six patients had reactions within 24 h of injection characterized by pain, warmth, and swelling, lasting up to 3 weeks. This occurrence was unpredictable. Corticosteroid injections were sometimes required. Synovial fluid cell counts were 5.0-75.0 x 10(9)/l, often with a prominent mononuclear component. Crystal studies and cultures were negative. Radiographic chondrocalcinosis was present in only 1 patient. One patient had serum antibodies to chicken serum proteins.

CONCLUSION

Intraarticular hylan was associated with significant local inflammatory reactions in 27% of patients, or 11% of injections. The mechanism(s) and long term sequelae are unclear.