Muscle Activation and Kinetic Studies in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis Before and After Hyaluronic Acid Injections

摘要

Gait pattern and lower extremity muscle activities are often altered in patients with knee osteoarthritis. Intra-articular knee joint injection of hyaluronic acid was documented to be able to reduce nerve impulses and nerve sensitivity associated with the pain from knee OA. In this study, intra-articular knee injection of hyaluronic acid was effective in reversing the altered gait pattern, ground reaction force, lower extremity joint kinetics, and muscle firing patterns in patients with less severe knee OA. It was also effective in alleviating clinical pain symptoms and improving activities of daily living. The treatment effectiveness lasted up to a period of six months. Therefore, intra-articular knee injection of hyaluronic acid can be a positive indication in treating less severe knee OA patients with poor treatment responses to conventional therapies.