Abstract | PURPOSE: Our purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid (HA) into immobilized joints for reducing rigidity and formation of joint adhesions following surgery and prolonged joint immobilization. METHODS: Twenty-four New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into experimental (n = 12) and control groups (n = 12). A model of knee injury was created in the right hind leg, and external plaster fixation was performed for 8 weeks. The experimental and control groups received weekly intra-articular injections of 0.3 mL HA solution or normal saline, respectively, in the knee joint. The degree of adhesions, range of motion (ROM), and collagen content of the synovium of the knee joint were observed after 8 weeks. RESULTS: At the end of 8 weeks, the experimental compared with control group had significantly higher mean ROM (70.3° ± 11.1° vs. 54.6° ± 11.2°, respectively; P = 0.002) and mean adhesion score. The experimental group compared with the control group had significantly lower mean adhesion score (2.2 ± 0.9 vs. 3.1 ± 0.7, respectively; P = 0.012) and collagen content (32.4 ± 4.7 vs. 39.0 ± 4.2 μg/mg, P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In a rabbit model of knee injury, intra-articular injection of HA decreased adhesion formation and collagen content and increased ROM after prolonged immobilization. These results indicate that HA may be clinically useful to prevent adhesions and improve joint mobility in patients who require joint immobilization for up to 8 weeks.
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Authors | Min Wang, Chao Liu, Wei Xiao |
Journal | Knee surgery, sports traumatology, arthroscopy : official journal of the ESSKA
(Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc)
Vol. 22
Issue 7
Pg. 1536-40
(Jul 2014)
ISSN: 1433-7347 [Electronic] Germany |
PMID | 23740323
(Publication Type: Journal Article)
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Chemical References |
- Viscosupplements
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Collagen
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Topics |
- Animals
- Casts, Surgical
- Collagen
(metabolism)
- Disease Models, Animal
- Hyaluronic Acid
(administration & dosage, pharmacology)
- Immobilization
(adverse effects)
- Injections, Intra-Articular
- Knee Injuries
(surgery)
- Postoperative Complications
(prevention & control)
- Rabbits
- Random Allocation
- Range of Motion, Articular
- Tissue Adhesions
(prevention & control)
- Viscosupplements
(administration & dosage)
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