Hyaluronic acid and tendon lesions

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Orthopedics
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Hyaluronic acid (HA) is being explored for its viscoelastic properties in treating tendinopathies.
• Fundamental studies suggest HA can enhance tendon gliding, reduce adhesions, and improve tendon organization.
• Clinical observations indicate potential benefits for pain and function in tendinopathy patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review existing literature on the application of hyaluronic acid for tendinopathy treatment.
• To analyze preclinical and clinical studies investigating HA's efficacy in tendon repair and management.

Main Methods:

• A literature search was conducted using Medline, Scopus, and Google Scholar.
• Keywords included 'hyaluronic acid,' 'tendon,' and 'tendinopathy.'
• 28 relevant articles in English and French were selected.

Main Results:

• Preclinical studies indicate HA promotes tendon gliding, reduces adhesions, improves architectural organization, and limits inflammation.
• In vitro studies (13 articles), in vivo animal studies (7 articles), and human studies (8 articles) were analyzed.
• Limited but encouraging short-term clinical results show improvements in pain and function.

Conclusions:

• Hyaluronic acid demonstrates significant potential in preclinical models for tendinopathy treatment.
• Current clinical evidence, though limited, supports HA's short-term benefits for pain and function.
• Further high-quality, randomized controlled trials are essential to confirm efficacy and establish clinical guidelines.