Date of Award
2009
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Kinesiology
Supervisor
Dr. Robert Petrella
Abstract
The present study investigated the impact of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) on the gait velocity of knee OA patients, along with patient pain, stiffness, and function. Thirty mild-moderate knee OA patients were randomized to receive three weekly injections of HA (2 ml of 20 mg/ml HA), or placebo (P) (1.2 ml of .001 mg/ml HA). Self-selected (SSGV) and fast (FGV) gait velocity were determined with the GAITRite system; self-reported pain, stiffness, and function were measured with the WOMAC OA Index; and overall patient function was determined with the six minute walk test. Data from one week, three months, and six months post-treatment was analyzed. At six months follow-up, SSGV was significantly improved in both the HA and P groups while only the HA group had significantly improved FGV. The effect of HA injections on knee OA patient gait velocity was not significantly different than P injections.
Recommended Citation
DeCaria, Joseph E., "THE IMPACT OF INTRA-ARTICULAR HYALURONIC ACID ON THE GAIT OF KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS PATIENTS" (2009). Digitized Theses. 3954.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/3954