Efficacy of intra articular injections in different grades of osteoarthritis of knee

ABSTRACT

To assess the efficacy of intra articular injections in different grades of osteoarthritis of knee. Descriptive study. This study was conducted at the Department of Orthopedics Railway Hospital Rawalpindi and Ibn-e-Seina Hospital and Research Institute Multan started from June 2008 to June 2012. This study included 90 patients of either sex having mild, moderate and severe grades of osteoarthritis of knee based on radiographic findings. A study proforma was designed in which bio-statics and results of the study were recorded. Five intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid were given on weekly basis and patients were assessed for pain and functional activity at intervals of 0, 6 and 12 Weeks by KSKS, WOMAC and VAS scoring system. These patients were selected consecutively. In this study patients with mild and moderate grades of osteoarthritis of knee showed improvement but patients with severe grades of osteoarthritis either showed no response or less improvement. Intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid is an effective modality in early stages of osteoarthritis of knee