[Comparison of the postoperative intraarticular use of RV023 and hyaluronate G-F20 in knee arthroscopy. Experience at...

For the past two decades arthroscopic surgery has revolutionized the treatment of acute traumatic knee injuries with patients returning sooner to activities of daily living. However, there are factors that delay this goal, such as postoperative intraarticular bleeding, and the swelling and pain that restrain immediate articular mobility. This paper analyzes such factors and their pathophysiologic processes. This led us to formulating a preparation for intraarticular use called RV023. The report of an original, prospective, longitudinal trial is presented herein, assessing the functional results of preparation RV023 in a 60-patient sample selected based on the following inclusion criteria: knee pain lasting 2 years and unresponsive to NSAID treatment, an MRI showing an Outerbridge grade I chondral injury without evidence of ligament or meniscal injury or fracture, and having undergone arthroscopic knee surgery. A significant difference was found in the articular function of subjects treated with the preparation as compared with those in whom it was not used. The articular function recovery curves of individuals treated with the preparation were virtually symmetrical to the curves for healthy controls. On the other hand, no allergic reactions, unwanted or side effects were reported. We therefore conclude that the safety and the benefits seen with preparation RV023 in experimental models are enough to support its use in humans.