Do differences exist between patients who receive a single intra-articular injection of corticosteroid versus patients who receive a single intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis at 1, 3 and 6 weeks, and 3 and 6 months post injection?

OBJECTIVES

Primary i. To determine if patients' VAS "pain while walking" is different at 6 weeks post-injection in patients who receive a single injection of methylprednisolone acetate (MPA) versus patients who receive a single injection of Hylan G-F 20 (Synvisc One™) for treatment of knee OA.

Secondary i. To determine if differences in VAS "pain while walking" scores exist at 1 and 3 weeks, and 3 and 6 months post injection between MPA and HA patients.

ii. To determine if differences in VAS "pain at rest" scores exist at 1, 3 and 6 weeks and 3 and 6 months post injection between MPA and HA patients.

iii. To determine if differences in VAS "pain with stairs" scores exist at 1, 3 and 6 weeks and 3 and 6 months post injection between MPA and HA patients.

iii. To determine if differences in KOOS questionnaire scores exist at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months post injection between MPA and HA patients.

iv. To determine if differences in WOMAC questionnaire scores exist at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months post injection between MPA and HA patients.

v. To determine if differences in adverse events exist at 1, 3 and 6 weeks, and 3, and 6 months post injection between MPA and HA patients.

vi. To track the number of patients who receive additional injections after 3 months following their index injection.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Clinical

  • 19-75 years of age (inclusive)
  • Symptomatic OA (1 of the following: pain, stiffness, or swelling)
  • Evidence of grade I, II or III OA on radiographic images according to Kellgren-Lawrence grading scale.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Clinical

  • Previous surgery on either knee (not including a diagnostic arthroscopy arthroscopy or simple partial meniscectomy)
  • Intra-articular treatment within the last 3 months
  • Ipsilateral cruciate or collateral ligament injury within past 3 months, or evidence of ligament laxity
  • Inflamed knee or pronounced effusion
  • Allergy to birds, eggs, avian proteins or known HA or corticosteroid
  • Venous or lymphatic stasis
  • Skin condition in the injection area
  • Evidence of infection in the affected joint
  • History of crystalline arthropathy or inflammatory arthritis
  • Pregnant or nursing
  • Third Party, Medical Legal or Workers' Compensation Board
  • Patient unable to understand English or unable to providing informed consent