Aim & Background-The aim of this study was to determine whether hyaluronic acid (HA) injections or life style modifications (LSM) can improve functional parameters in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Material and methods-In this prospective clinical trial, a total of 100 Cases with primary knee osteoarthritis as defined by American College of Rheumatology with radiographic Kellgren-Lawrence grade 2 and grade 3 knee OA were randomized and received treatment either in the form of three intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid at one-week intervals or life style modifications for 6 weeks. Patients were evaluated by use of WOMAC Score and followed-up for 6 months. Result-In HA group, mean WOMAC score before treatment was 67.32+7.90, a decline of 28.29+6.28 in WOMAC score after treatment (38.73+5.95) was observed while in LSM group, mean WOMAC score before treatment was 68.36+8.55, a decline of 27.80+7.04 in WOMAC score after treatment (40.47+6.62) was observed. This change in WOMAC score was statistically significant (p<0.001) in both the group Conclusion-The study suggests that at 6 month follow up , WOMAC score showed significant improvement in both the groups, however slight better results were determined in the HA treated group as compared to LSM treated group. Early outcomes (at1 month) were better in HA group as compared to LSM group.
