Petrella, Robert ; Petrella, Michael ; Cogliano, Anthony
The objective of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of periarticular hyaluronic acid injections in acute lateral ankle sprain during 9 months at a sports injuries center. One hundred fifty-eight consecutive competitive athletes who suffered acute grade 1 or 2 lateral ankle sprains were randomized within 48 hours of injury. Patients were randomized at baseline to periarticular injection with hyaluronic acid (HA) + standard of care [rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE)] or placebo injection (PL) + standard of care (RICE) treatment at baseline assessment and on day 4 after injury. The results showed a significant reduction in VAS pain on both weight bearing and walking was observed at day 8 for HA compared with PL and significantly greater patient satisfaction was observed for HA versus PL. Time to pain-free and disability-free return to sport was 11 (+/-8) versus 17 (+/-8) days for HA and PL, respectively. The authors conclude that HA treatment for acute ankle sprain was highly satisfactory in the short term and the long term versus PL. This was associated with reduced pain and more rapid return to sport, with few associated adverse events.
Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 2007, 17(4), 251-257