Functional improvement with hylan G-F 20 in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

A systematic review of randomized, controlled, prospective clinical studies is described (8 trials; N = 1674 patients), with > 100 patients in each, which evaluated functional outcomes with hylan G-F 20 in secondary analyses. Hylan G-F 20 significantly improved Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) physical function versus appropriate/conventional care or corticosteroid, it significantly improved loss of activity versus saline, and it had similar functional improvements compared with progressive knee exercises or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Functional improvements with hylan G-F 20 also improved with pain relief. Hylan G-F 20 should be considered as part of a multimodal arthritis treatment regimen that focuses on improving function.