J Korean Rheum Assoc.  2003 Sep;10(3):278-282.

Local Reactions after Intraarticular Hyaluronic Acid Injection for Osteoarthritis of the Knee

• Chang JE
• Cho YJ
• Lee J

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To describe the frequency and the nature of acute local reactions following intraarticular hyaluronate injection.
METHODS
Retrospective review of patients with osteoarthirtis of the knee treated with intraarticular hyaluronate injection between June, 2001 and March, 2002. The frequency, symptoms and signs, and duration and treatment of the local reactions were analyzed.
RESULTS
Nineteen patients received 124 hyaluronates injections to knees. Seven (36.8%) patients developed local reactions in 9 (7.3%) knees. Transient pain occurred in 3 patients. However, persistent pain accompanied by swelling developed in 4 patients. Patients who developed transient pain did not required treatment with self-limiting course, but patients with joint swelling required arthrocentesis and intraarticular corticosteroid injection.
CONCLUSION
Intraarticular hyaluronate injection was associated with significant local reactions. Local reactions were more frequent and severe than previously described with occasional development of joint swelling requiring arthrocentesis.

Keyword

Osteoarthritis; Hyaluronic acid; Intraarticular injection; Local reactions

MeSH Terms

Humans
Hyaluronic Acid*
Injections, Intra-Articular
Joints
Knee*
Osteoarthritis*
Retrospective Studies
Hyaluronic Acid