Intra-articular, single-shot co-injection of hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids in knee osteoarthritis: A randomized controlled trial

120 patients with Kellgren-Lawrence grade II-IV knee osteoarthritis were randomized to intra-articular injection with either a combination of hyaluronic acid and corticosteroid, or hyaluronic acid alone. Patients were followed-up for 6 months post treatment for outcomes related to pain on a visual analog scale and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC). Between groups, both VAS pain and WOMAC assessments significantly favoured the HA+CS group compared to the HA alone group at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months; differences between groups at 6 months were not significant. However, when the change from baseline to 6 months was analyzed within each group, neither outcome measured demonstrated a significant within-group difference.