The effectiveness of intra-articular injections of Hyalubrix® combined with exercise therapy in the treatment of hip osteoarthritis.

Abstract

Purpose: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder in the elderly, causing significant pain which negatively affects mobility and quality of life. The aim of the study was to assess the effectiveness of ultrasound image-guided intra-articular injections of Hyalubrix^® combined with exercise therapy in the treatment of hip osteoarthritis.

Methods: This was a single site, prospective, open-label, Investigator-initiated study. Forty patients were enrolled and received three ultrasound image-guided injections of Hyalubrix^®, 45 days apart, combined with three sessions a week of physical therapy (proprioceptive rehabilitation of the lower limbs; gait training; balance training) up to a total of 30 sessions (10 weeks), starting from one week after the first injection.

Results: The primary objective was to achieve a lasting reduction in OA symptoms related to pain during activity. During the course of the study the pain perceived by the patient during activity dropped from a mean value of 6.94 cm to a mean value of 1.46 cm and showed a statistically significant decrease from visit 1 compared to baseline (p < 0.05) which was confirmed at all the subsequent time points. Significant improvements were also observed in the evaluation of the secondary objectives: hip disability; OA-related pain at rest; daily functioning and NSAIDs intake.

Conclusions: Results from this study including 40 patients for a total of 65 treated hips demonstrate a significant improvement in OA-related pain, hip disability, and patient's daily functioning as well as a reduction in NSAIDs intake. Patients suffering from hip OA seem to benefit from the treatment with Hyalubrix^® injections plus exercise therapy.