THE EFFECTIVENESS OF INTRAOPERATIVE HYALURONIC ACID INJECTION (DUROLANE) ON POSTOPERATIVE PAIN AND FUNCTION, DURING HIP ARTHROSCOPY – A PROSPECTIVE, BLINDED, RANDOMISED CLINICAL TRIAL

R. Miller, A. Tzaveas, R. Villar
The Richard Villar Practice, Wellington Hospital, London, UK
Aim: To assess the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid injection, during hip arthroscopy, on pain and function, during the immediate postoperative period and up to three months postoperatively.
Material and method: 60 patients who underwent hip arthroscopy were included and were randomised into two groups, the experimental group and the control group. In the first group an injection of hyaluronic acid (Durolane) 60 mg was given at the end of the arthroscopy, after the intra-articular normal saline had been removed, while the second group did not receive the medicinal substance. Both groups received the same postoperative analgesic medication and physiotherapy. The pain rating scale (Visual Analogue Pain) was used immediately postoperatively, at various time intervals and up to three months after the operation. Hip function was assessed using the Harris hip score and the Non-arthritic hip score at the same time points.
Results: There was no statistically significant difference between the two groups of patients as regards pain during the immediate postoperative period. However, a significant reduction in pain and improvement in function were observed at the intermediate time points and at three months postoperatively.
Conclusions: The results of intraoperative hyaluronic acid injection during hip arthroscopy were judged encouraging for the management of pain and of joint function postoperatively. However, study over longer periods is considered necessary for a better evaluation of the method.