"Context: 'Injection into the joint] hyaluronic acid is a US 'FDA] approved treatment for knee osteoarthritis (OA); however, its 'effectiveness] is controversial...

"Objective: To evaluate whether 'joint injections of] hyaluronic acid is 'effective] in treating knee OA...

Conclusion: 'Injected] hyaluronic acid has a small effect when compared with a 'similarly injected] placebo. The presence of publication bias suggests even this effect may be overestimated... Emphasis added.

In: Journal of the American Medical Assn., vol. 290, 2003. By: Lo, LaValley, McAlindon & Felson, Clinical Epedem. Res., Arthritis Ctr, Boston U. School of Med., Dept. of Biostatistics, Boston U., Boston U. School of Public Health, Boston, MA Dr. McAlindon is now with New England Med. Ctr., Boston.

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