Takeaway
- Single-dose hyaluronic acid (HA) for patellofemoral chondromalacia failed to improve pain and function on 6 different measures in a randomized controlled trial (RCT).
Why this matters
- Despite its benefit for knee osteoarthritis, evidence reported here does not support HA as a treatment option for patellofemoral chondromalacia.
Study design
- Double-blind RCT (n=86) of either 6 mL HA or sham injection in patients who failed conservative management at the University of Virginia. After their injections, both groups received a home exercise program of 7 measures, including lower extremity strengthening and flexibility exercises.
- The 6 outcomes (assessed at 1, 3, and 6 months) were: visual analog scale (VAS) pain during single leg squat, Kujala anterior knee pain scale, Tegner activity rating, Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS), normalized maximal knee extension torque, and central activation ratio.
- Funding: None disclosed.
Key results
- No between-group differences on any of the scales at any time points.
- Both HA and sham groups improved over time in 3 of 6 measures: VAS pain rating during single leg squat, Kujala scale, and KOOS.
Limitations
- No P-values reported.
- Single-center study.
References
References
