Intra-articular Sodium Hyaluronate Injection after Arthroscopic Débridement for Osteoarthritis of the Knee: A Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Study

INTERVENTION: The treatment course consisted of a continued series of three intra‐articular injections of sodium hyaluronate (Orthovisc) administered during 3 consecutive weeks starting 3‐weeks postoperatively (40 patients) into the affected (arthroscopied) knee joint. The HA used in this study was Orthovisc®, (30 mg sodium hyaluronate dissolved in 2 ml physiological saline; Anika Therapeutics Inc., Woburn, MA, USA). CONDITION: osteoarthritis PRIMARY OUTCOME: the pain function subscales of the Western Ontario MacMaster (WOMAC) OA Index SECONDARY OUTCOME: the physical function subscales of the Western Ontario MacMaster (WOMAC) OA Index INCLUSION CRITERIA: age between 40‐65 years, symptomatic primary knee OA according to American College of Rheumatology criteria with a Kellgren‐Lawrence (K‐L) severity grade of level II or III as determined radiographically at screening.