[Experience with the use of hyaluronic Acid in the treatment of arthritis.].

The authors describe their experience with hyaluronic acid (Hyalgan) in the treatment of arthritis in clinical and ambulatory practice. A total of 278 doses of Hyalgan were administered to 169 patients for treatment of arthritis of the knee, ankle, shoulder and hip joint. A certain limitation of treatment was the price of the preparation which had to be paid by the patients. The authors recorded an early subjective effect of the preparation, i.e. regression of pain, improved mobility and improvement of the clinical manifestations of osteoarthritis. It did not prove possible to detect an effect modifying the arthritic manifestations on the joint, although such an effect can be anticipated. Because no negative effect of the preparation on the joints or organism was found, Hyalgan can be considered an effective drug for osteoarthritis of the weight bearing joints. Key words: osteoarthritis, hyaluronic acid, intraarticular administration.