OBJECTIVETo retrospectively analyze the long-term efficacy of intra-articular injection with sodium hyaluronate for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.

METHODSFrom January 2006 to August 2007,120 patients (181 knees) with knee osteoarthritis, (mild 61 knees, moderate 72 knees, severe 48 knees), were treated by intra-articular injection with sodium hyaluronate, 2 ml every week for 5 weeks. The clinical effects were analyzed according to VAS, JOA scoring before treatment, at the 1 month, 1, 2 years after treatment.

RESULTS(1) VAS scores were respectively (7.26 +/- 1.83), (1.85 +/- 1.21), (2.54 +/- 1.40), (3.07 +/- 1.51) scores before treatment, at the 1 month, 1 and 2 years after treatment. There was significant difference between every post-treatment and pre-treatment. (2) JOA scoring of knee function was respectively (18.7 +/- 6.6), (84.3 +/- 15.5), (75.4 +/- 22.4), (64.8 +/- 25.6) scores before treatment, at the 1 month, 1 and 2 years after treatment. There was significant difference between every post-treatment and pre-treatment. (3) Assessment of long-term efficacy among 181 knees who were followed up 1 year, 70 cases got excellent results, 54 good, 34 fair and 23 poor. Those who were followed up 2 years,40 cases got excellent results, 54 good, 53 fair and 34 poor. Knee function became poor along with time-lapse. The efficiency was respectively 86.89% (53/61), 79.17% (57/72), 54.17% (26/48) in mild knees, moderate knees, severe knees at the 2 years after treatment.

CONCLUSIONThe long-term efficacy of intra-articular injection with sodium hyaluronate is satisfactory in treating knee osteoarthritis. The efficacy is better for mild and moderate osteoarthritis than for the severe osteoarthritis. The short-term efficacy is acceptable and the long-term one is worse for the severe knees.