In patients with primary knee osteoarthritis, intra-articular Hyaluronate sodium injections effectively reduce joint pain, stiffness, and the need for daily NSAIDs.

The objective of this non-interventional observational study was to assess the effectiveness, safety, and tolerability of Hyaluronate sodium in treating osteoarthritis among patients with comorbid pathology.

The study involved 30 volunteers between the ages of 40 and 65 who had stage II-III osteoarthritis of the knee. These individuals were treated with Hyaluronate sodium, and their condition was evaluated using the Kellgren-Lawrence scale. The treatment course consisted of three standard intra-articular injections of a sterile sodium Hyaluronate gel derived from microbial fermentation, administered once a week.

Throughout the assessment, volunteers were asked to continue their non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy at stable standard dosages. The efficacy of the intervention was evaluated by monitoring alterations in various factors, including the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) index, Visual analog scale (VAS) pain scores during movement and at rest, goniometry data, as well as the results of a stair climb test and a 30-meter walking test.

Observations revealed a favorable impact of the treatment on multiple aspects. These included notable improvements in pain levels based on the VAS, improved performance on functional tests, and higher scores on the WOMAC index. Encouragingly, the positive changes in the evaluated parameters became evident as early as the seventh day of therapy. During the therapy, no adverse reactions were noted. Furthermore, the tolerability to the drug was good.

Patients diagnosed with moderate joint dysfunction in the II-III stages of knee osteoarthritis can benefit from the utilization of Hyaluronate sodium as a treatment option.