[Artificial synovial fluid for the joints]

The author presents the results of his biomechanical, experimental and clinical studies to produce an artificial synovial fluid for therapeutic correction when administered intraarticularly in inflammatory and degenerative diseases, traumas and operations on the joints. According to the results of the rheologic investigations, the 15% aqueous solution of mean molecular polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and its complex with a biopolymer (PVP-hyaluronate) turned out to be most similar to the natural synovial fluid of the joints. The experimental studies (201 rabbits) revealed a suppression of the inflammatory process in the joints and an antiadhesive action of the artificial synovia which improved the metabolism of the acetabular cartilage and the functions of the joints. In the clinical part of the study (514 patients) the preparations of the artificial synovial fluid and its complexes with other drugs were administered intraarticularly to the patients with rheumatoid arthritis and deforming osteoarthrosis. An improvement in many values of the function of the joints and of the laboratory and biochemical data has been revealed. There have been no side effects in the patients under study; an improvement in the working ability has been noted, including the evaluation of the long-term results (1 to 10 years).