Hyaluronic Acid Injections

A hyaluronic acid (HA) injection, or viscosupplementation, places a gel that mimics natural joint fluid into a joint, most often the knee, to try to reduce osteoarthritis (OA) pain.

Current UK guidance says not to offer intra-articular hyaluronan for osteoarthritis, because the evidence shows no meaningful benefit. The SEM clinician needs to know what it is, what the evidence shows and how to advise an athlete who asks about it.

This page covers:

• •What hyaluronic acid is and how it is thought to work
• •The evidence and its place in practice
• •The practical points, including safety and anti-doping status