Potential applications of hyaluronans in orthopaedics : Degenerative joint disease, surgical recovery, trauma and sports injuries

• Published in: Sports medicine (Auckland) 2005-01, Vol.35 (10), p.853-864
• Main Authors: AXE, Michael J, SHIELDS, Clarence L
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Athletic Injuries - drug therapy; Biological and medical sciences; Bones, joints and connective tissue. Antiinflammatory agents; Clinical Trials as Topic; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Humans; Hyaluronic Acid - therapeutic use; Joint Diseases - drug therapy; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous. Osteoarticular involvement in other diseases; Orthopedic Procedures; Osteoarthritis - drug therapy; Pharmacology. Drug treatments
• ISSN: 0112-1642; 1179-2035
• DOI: 10.2165/00007256-200535100-00003

The use of hyaluronans for the treatment of pain in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee is well established. There are growing data to suggest that they may also alter the rate of disease progression. Reviewed here are preliminary data that also indicate a potential use for hyaluronans in the treatment of inflammatory arthropathies (e.g. acute joint trauma and fractures) that require long periods of immobilisation, and in tissue engineering for chondral defects. Although the trials that have investigated the use of hyaluronan therapy for the management of traumatic and degenerative musculoskeletal disorders seen in sports medicine have limitations in design and patient number, the results have been promising and suggest that larger controlled clinical trials are warranted.