Effects of a heparin-heparinoid combination on esthesiologic and trophic changes in deep periarticular tissues in gonarthritis
Dragani, L.; D'Aurelio, A.; Vecchiet, L.
Rivista Europea Per le Scienze Mediche e Farmacologiche 14(4): 271-277
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0392-291X PMID: 1306004 Document Number: 401012
We evaluated the efficacy of heparin-glucuronylglucosaminoglycane association topically used on periarticular deep tissues (subcutaneous and muscle), in 20 females divided into two homogeneous groups of 10 each, affected by painful osteoarthritis of the knee. Electrically stimulated subcutaneous and muscular pain thresholds have been assessed; ultrasound scan of subcutaneous tissue overlying articular rima and vastus medialis muscle, and ultrasound scan of vastus medialis muscle thickness have been also examined. The measurements have been done (at the beginning of the experiment) in basal conditions and respectively after one, two, and three weeks treatment with the drug or placebo administered in a double blind fashion. Subcutaneous and muscular pain thresholds have shown an important rise right from the first week of treatment; subcutaneous tissue thickness was significantly decreased after two weeks treatment and in the same period a significant increase of vastus medialis muscle was registered. No such variations have been shown after placebo treatment. The possible mechanisms of such effects have been assessed in a peripheral control action of inflammation, with decrease of nociceptive message and consequent limitation of dystrophic reflex phenomena.