Clinical Inquiries: How do hyaluronic acid and corticosteroid injections compare for knee OA relief?

J Fam Pract. 2018 Jan;67(1):E13-E14.

Abstract

Inconsistent evidence shows a small amount of pain relief early (one week to 3 months) with corticosteroid (CS) injections and an equally small improvement in pain relief and function later (3 to 12 months) with hyaluronic acid (HA) injections (strength of recommendation [SOR]: B, meta-analysis of a randomized controlled trial and inconsistent RCTs). Guidelines state that CS injections can be considered for symptomatic knee osteoarthritis, but that insufficient evidence exists to recommend HA injections (SOR: B, evidence-based guidelines).

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Glucocorticoids / therapeutic use*
  • Humans
  • Hyaluronic Acid / therapeutic use*
  • Injections, Intra-Articular
  • Osteoarthritis, Knee / drug therapy*
  • Viscosupplements / therapeutic use*
  • Visual Analog Scale

Substances

  • Glucocorticoids
  • Viscosupplements
  • Hyaluronic Acid