[The use of sodium hyaluronate to treat upper limb disease: A review]

The most common diseases of the upper limb are osteoarthritis (OA) of the joints of the hands, lateral epiconlitis, tendinitis of the shoulder muscles, adhesive capsulitis. OA of the shoulder and acromioclavicular joints is less common. The development of acute and subacute pain in the elbow and shoulder joints in the vast majority of cases is determined by the pathology of soft tissues: muscles, ligamentous apparatus and related synovial bags, making it difficult to diagnose. A clinical and radiological heterogeneity of OA of the joints of the hands is a very complex pathology for the study, and also to create a unified algorithms for therapy. Therapy nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are effective in the short term, but it has several side effects. Despite a variety of attempts at therapy with successful and unsuccessful outcome, the attention of researchers for several decades converted to the injection therapy with hyaluronic acid. The article presents the data of studies demonstrating the anti-inflammatory effect of hyaluronic acid in the treatment of OA, as well as the results of clinical trials and data system of meta-analysis demonstrating the effectiveness of intra-articular and extra-articular therapy tendinopathy of the upper limb. Most of the cited studies demonstrated the efficacy and good tolerance of 1% sodium hyaluronate. In the domestic market it is presented in the drug Flexotron Forte. The authors provide the results of the study results, demonstrating the efficacy and safety of using Flexotron Forte to clinical practice.

Seven-year course of asymptomatic acromioclavicular osteoarthritis diagnosed by MRI

BACKGROUND

Asymptomatic acromioclavicular osteoarthritis (AC-OA) is a frequent finding in shoulder magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Its natural course is unknown. Therefore, the question arises whether a resection should be performed simultaneously with shoulder surgery for another reason to prevent future pain and reoperation. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mid-term course of asymptomatic AC-OA.

METHODS

Overall, 114 asymptomatic AC-OA diagnosed on MRI were followed for 7 years between 2011 and 2018. At baseline, MRI signal enhancement in the clavicle and acromion, OA grade, physical demand as well as the parameters (1) Constant Score Visual Analogue Scale, (2) pain on AC-joint compression, and (3) cross-body adduction test were measured. All patients were followed up after 7 years by interview, and in case of symptoms by clinical examination. The endpoint "deterioration" was reached if 2 of the 3 parameters turned worse.

RESULTS

Asymptomatic AC-OA remained asymptomatic in 83% of cases, 7% turned better, 10% turned worse. Physical demand and osteoarthritis grade increased the risk of deterioration, whereas MRI signal enhancement in the clavicle or acromion had no influence on outcome. During follow-up, the frequency of pain on AC-joint compression increased from 11% to 16% (P = .24), the frequency of a positive cross-body adduction test increased from 6% to 20% (P = .017), and the mean Constant Score Visual Analogue Scale increased from 10 to 13 points (P < .001) indicating less pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Asymptomatic AC-OA remained asymptomatic in 90% over 7 years. A simultaneous resection of an asymptomatic AC-OA during shoulder surgery for another reason is not indicated in every patient.