Safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided intra-articular hylan G-F 20 injection in osteoarthritis of the hip: a pilot study

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of viscosupplementation applied to the hip joint with the lateral approach and ultrasound guidance and to show whether this can be an alternative treatment model in hip osteoarthritis ( OA). Methods: We performed three hylan G-F injections each to 14 patients with hip OA. We evaluated visual analog score ( VAS), Lequesne hip OA severity index, 15-meter walking time before injections and 30 and 90 days after injections, and patient satisfaction. Results: We established that after 30 respectively 90 days of treatment, VAS, Lequesne hip OA severity index, and 15-meter walking time were statistically significantly lower than before the treatment. This decrease continued after the 30th day. No side effects or complications were observed. Conclusions: Viscosupplementation performed under ultrasound guidance with the lateral approach is an effective and safe method and can be an alternative treatment of hip OA.