Study: Injections of Hylan G-F 20 Effective for Mild-to-Moderate Osteoarthritis of the Hip Joint

People with osteoarthritis of the hip joint who have failed to find pain relief from other treatments appear to respond to injections of a drug known generically as Hyland G-F 20.

Hylan G-F 20 is sold under the brandname of Synvisc, and is currently indicated for osteoarthritis of the knee. When injected, hylan G-F 20 helps restore the shock-absorbing effect of the fluid within the knee. This can lead to reduced pain and a more active lifestyle. Hylan G-F 20 is made from a substance called hyaluronan, which is found in normal joint fluid.

This study involved 22 patients with osteoarthritis of the hip joint who had failed to gain pain relief from physical therapy, exercises and steroid injections. The affected hip joints of the patients were injected with hylan G-F 20 and fluoroscopic lavage. All patients went through a standard hip exercise regimen after the treatment.

The researchers concluded that the use of hylan G-F 20 injection is a viable option for treatment of mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the hip joint. The results were reported in the August issue of the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

Lead researcher Dr. Vijay B. Vad, of Cornell University Medical Center, told Medical Week that some physicians use Hylan G-F-20 off-label for osteoarthritis of the hip.

Vad said Hylan G-F-20 works for early grade 2 or 3 osteoarthritis in over 80 percent of the people for a minimum of one year if combined with a hip lavage and a proper exercise program regimen such as aquatherapy and hip stretching exercises.

For bone-on-bone or severe arthritis of the hip, Vad said it works only for 50 percent of the people. "This is an early intervention to retard progression of arthritis," he added.

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation