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Skin Necrosis from Intra-articular Hyaluronic Acid Injection
Whan B Kim1, Raed O Alhusayen2
1Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University, Hamilton, ONDivision of Dermatology, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, ONDepartment of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON whan.kim@medportal.ca.
Background:
Tissue necrosis is a rare yet potentially serious complication of intra-articular (IA) hyaluronic acid (HA) injections for treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
Objective:
To report a case of a patient with cutaneous necrosis after IA HA injection for treatment of knee osteoarthritis, presenting as a livedoid violaceous patch on the right knee.
Method:
We report a case of cutaneous necrosis as a rare complication of IA HA injection for treatment of knee osteoarthritis. A literature review was undertaken of similar cases.
Results:
Use of HA IA injections in the treatment of osteoarthritis can result in similar skin necrosis at uncommon anatomic locations corresponding to the site of HA injection.
Conclusion:
Although tissue necrosis is a rare complication, physicians need to be aware of this possibility as a complication of HA IA injections in the treatment of osteoarthritis and should be mindful of potential treatment options to manage this adverse event.
