Efficacy of hydrolyzed collagen injections in knee osteoarthritis treatment

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Hydrolyzed collagen (CHG) is an emerging infiltrative therapy for the treatment of osteoarthritis. The objective of this retrospective study was to compare its effectiveness with that of hyaluronic acid (HA) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). METHODS: The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) scores of 72 patients with Kellgren-Lawrence grade 1-4 osteoarthritis were recorded and analyzed over a 12-month follow-up period. Patients received either three CHG injections, a single HA injection, or three PRP injections and the results were compared. Of the participants, 23 were treated with CHG, 25 with HA, and 24 with PRP. RESULTS: Treatment effectiveness was assessed at 3, 6, and 12 months. At the 12-month follow-up, the CHG group showed a 56% improvement in the WOMAC total score, compared to 22.5% for the HA group and 47% for the PRP group. Pain reduction was also greatest in the CHG group, with a 52% decrease at 12 months, versus 16% in the HA group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In this retrospective study, CHG demonstrated a more sustained therapeutic effect in terms of pain relief and functional improvement compared to HA and PRP over a one-year period. No side effects were observed in any of the treatment groups.

 

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BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders