DOI: https://doi.org/10.22263/2312-4156.2025.3.9
K.G. Shilina, L.R. Vykhrystenka
Intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections in the knee osteoarthritis therapy: a brief review
Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University, Vitebsk, Republic of Belarus
Vestnik VGMU. 2025;24(3):9-17.
Abstract.
Intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) injections are widely used in the therapy of patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Contradictory data on its effectiveness, lack of clear recommendations on the regimens of HA administration, predictors of positive/negative response to intra-articular HA injections make us think about the necessity of choosing this method of OA treatment. This review provides information on the functions of HA in the joint environment, its metabolism in patients with OA. The differences among the existing types of HA for intra-articular injection are briefly described. The positive effects of intraarticular HA injections are described, such as reducing pain and the need for nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics, improving knee joint function, reducing cartilage degradation and periarticular fibrosis, delaying knee replacement, and economic feasibility. Data on the most significant predictors of clinical response to intra-articular HA injections are presented.
Keywords: osteoarthritis, knee, intra-articular injections, hyaluronic acid, viscosupplementation, effectiveness, predictor.
Acknowledgments. The authors declare no conflicts of interest and thank the anonymous reviewers of the article.
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Submitted 10.02.2025
Accepted 13.06.2025
Information about authors:
Kristina G. Shilina – senior teacher of the Chair of General Medical Practice, Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University, e-mail: Этот адрес электронной почты защищён от спам-ботов. У вас должен быть включен JavaScript для просмотра.;
L.R. Vykhrystenka – Doctor of Medical Sciences, professor, Head of the Chair of General Medical Practice, Vitebsk State Order of Peoples’ Friendship Medical University, https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6149-6973
