Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic efficacy and side effect of combination of intra-articular injection of hyaluronate and extracorporeal shock wave therapy(ESWT) on patients with knee osteoarthritis.Methods50 patients with knee osteoarthritis were treated by combination of intra-articular injection of hyaluronate and ESWT(study group, n=22) or combination of intra-articular injection of hyaluronate and pain-point injection of betamethasone(control group, n=28). The parameters included pain intensity (Numeric Rating Score, NRS) at rest and at exercise, pain relief rate, the time when pain disappeared and times of betamethasone administration or ESWT. The side effects were also evaluated.ResultsNRS decreased in the two groups after treatment,
while NRS was not different between the two groups(P>0.05) except 1 week after the treatment(P<0.01).ConclusionThe combination of intra-articular injection of hyaluronate and extracorporeal shock wave is a safe and effective treatment for knee osteoarthritis.

Key words: extracorporeal shock wave therapy(ESWT), knee osteoarthritis, hyaluronate