Volume 10 Issue 2
Enhanced Pain Reduction at Different Stages of Knee Osteoarthritis via Repeated Injections of Hyaluronic Acid with Niacinamide: A Comparative Study
Sophie Pennekamp,Stephan Hegelmaier,Wolfgang Hitzl,Markus Geßlein,Hermann Josef Bail,Kim Loose,Andreas Kopf,Niklas Engel,Johannes Rüther,Maximilian Willauschus andMichael Millrose
1Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Paracelsus Medical University, Breslauer Strasse 201, 90471 Nuremberg, Germany
2Research and Innovation Management (RIM), Biostatistics and Publication of Clinical Trial Studies, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
3Department of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
4Research Program Experimental Ophthalmology & Glaucoma Research, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria
5Department of Trauma Surgery and Sports Medicine, Garmisch-Partenkirchen Medical Centre, 82467 Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee is the most common joint disease, characterized by the degeneration of joint cartilage. Intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IAHA) injections are a well-established non-surgical treatment. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed knee OA patients receiving IAHA combined with niacinamide injections, assessing pain reduction in relation to patient data, the number of injections, and radiological findings. Results: IAHA injections led to significant pain reduction on the numeric rating scale (NRS) (0–10), with a mean decrease of 3.34 ± 1.65. Pain relief was greater with multiple injections. A comparison of subgroups by injection frequency (1, 2, or >2) showed significant pain reduction between 1 and 2 injections (p = 0.027) and between 1 and >2 injections (p = 0.032). The OA grade measured using the Kellgren–Lawrence (p = 0.95) and Vallotton MRI classifications (p = 0.50) did not correlate with pain reduction. However, patients with meniscal damage (p = 0.02) showed a greater benefit. A strong positive correlation was found between baseline pain intensity and pain reduction (p < 0.001; r = 0.61). Conclusions: IAHA with niacinamide significantly reduces knee OA pain, with more injections enhancing pain relief. Greater benefits were observed in patients with higher baseline pain and meniscal damage. The favorable safety profile and potential for repeated treatments make IAHA a valuable option in knee OA management.
Keywords:
osteoarthritis of the knee; therapy of osteoarthritis; intra-articular hyaluronic acid; niacinamide; meniscal damage