Study Summary

Eight randomized controlled trials including 387 patients with knee, hip, and shoulder osteoarthritis (OA) were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis comparing botulinum toxin A (BTA) injections versus placebo or other active treatments such as corticosteroids and physical therapy. Pooled outcomes of interest included pain on the visual analogue scale (VAS), the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores for function, pain, and stiffness, and occurrence of adverse events. The pooled analysis demonstrated that BTA significantly reduced pain, while WOMAC functional improvements were modest and inconsistent across domains. Overall, these findings suggest that BTA is effective for reducing overall pain in OA, but its effect on improving joint function remains uncertain.