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AAOS: Hylan Injections Show Equal Efficacy as Corticosteroid for Arthritis of the Knee By Cameron Johnston Special to DG News NEW ORLEANS, LA -- February 7, 2003 -- Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who are treated with Synvisc (hylan) appear to achieve equal outcomes compared to those achieved with corticosteroids, according to a study reported here today at the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons. The single-blind study conducted at a military hospital randomised 100 patients to either visco-supplementation with hylan or corticosteroid injections. Hylan was administered in a course of three injections over 10 days, and corticosteroids were given in one injection, with an additional injection if the patient requested it. Patients were evaluated at baseline and at 3 and 6 months. Data from the study were adjusted for patient body mass index, age, use of physiotherapy and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory therapy. According to Dr. Brigham Redd, an orthopaedic surgeon at Beaumont Army Medical Center, in Seattle, Washington, there were no statistically significant differences in outcome between the two groups, but there were significant gender differences in the degree of relief experienced. Men showed significant improvement on the Modified Knee Society Score (KSS), the Western Ontario McMaster Universities Index (WOMAC) and the visual analog pain scale (VAS). Female participants showed an improvement only on the WOMAC when treated with Synvisc. Besides the differences in symptomatic relief between men and women, there was also a considerable price differential between the two products which would rule out the visco-supplementation as a first-line treatment, Dr. Redd said in a question-and-answer session. Corticosteroids cost approximately $5.00 per treatment, while the visco-supplement (Synvisc) costs $5000. "Corticosteroids seem to last not as long as hylan injections, but at 6 months of follow-up it was as effective as Synvisc," he said. The study was not sponsored by the makers of either product. E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version