Pharmacologic and clinical aspects of intraarticular injection of hyaluronate.

Hyaluronate (HA) is linear unbranched polysaccharide consisting of repeating disaccharide units of (1-4)-D-glucuronic acid-beta-(1-3)-D-N-acetylglucosamine. Extensive research has been conducted on HA, a major component of connective tissue. Hyaluronate, molecular weight 80 x 10(4)d, is available for the intraarticular injective treatment of osteoarthrosis of the knee and periarthritis of the shoulder. Hyaluronate relieves pain and has metabolic effects on articular cartilage, synovial tissue, and synovial fluid. Hyaluronate is a safe and effective treatment for patients with osteoarthrosis of the knee and periarthritis of the shoulder.