Riassunto dello studio

A total of five randomized controlled studies including 181 patients undergoing arthroscopic surgery for degenerative arthropathy of the knee were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis comparing the addition of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) immediately after surgery (Treatment A, n=181) vs. placebo or no additional treatment (Treatment B, n=182). Pooled outcomes of interest included postoperative pain using the visual analog scale (VAS), and functional recovery using the Western Ontario and McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score, International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC), Tegner score, and Lysholm score. There was no statistically significant difference in pain relief and functional outcomes between both groups. Therefore, the addition of HA immediately after surgery provided no discernible benefit to pain relief or knee function.