The result of glycosaminoglycan polysulphate intramuscularly in osteoarthritis of the knee
Prasartritha, T.
Journal of the Medical Association of Thailand 69(9): 462-468
1986
ISSN/ISBN: 0125-2208 PMID: 3794561 Document Number: 278699
Forty-nine patients (77 knees) who presented with osteoarthritis of the knee were treated with glycosaminoglycan polysulphate (arteparons, 50 mg) intramuscularly twice a week for fifteen doses. There were 41 females and 8 males. The average weight and age of the patients were 64.4 kgs. and 56.4 years respectively. The arthritic knees were classified into 5 stages. Modified Larson knee analysis form was used to evaluate the efficacy of the injection. Patients were also asked for subjective rating for the improvement. On subjective rating, all but one thought that the injection was effective. The average score on the modified Larson knee analysis was 69.1 points before treatment, 85.1 points immediately after 15th dose, 85.9 points after 3 months and 88.6 points after 6 months. The study suggests that intramuscular glycosaminoglycan polysulphate can improve knee function and reduce pain in the osteoarthritic condition. Marked improvement was found significantly in stage I and stage II but in stage III and stage IV when the cartilage was almost completely destroyed, the result was not so appreciated.