Efficacy and tolerance of joint lavage in the symptomatic treatment of hip osteoarthritis

In view of positive experience and the growing use of JL in osteoarthritis of the knee, recommended, on the other hand, as a possible therapy in all treatment guidelines, and based on our personal experience in the use of hip infiltrations in the treatment of the mechanical and inflammatory complaints of the coxofemoral joint, this preliminary study of JL of the coxofemoral joint was performed in patients with non-advanced osteoarthritis. A study was made of the results of JL carried out in 12 patients with OAH according to Altman criteria and with Kellgren and Lawrence radiological grade II-III. The Golding joint puncture technique was used to access the hip (coxofemoral) joint. The work was performed as a prospective, open case series observational study. The mean age of the JL group was 60 years. The analysis of response to treatment over time was statistically significant (p < 0.0005) between baseline values and at 3 months for: severity of the joint pain (measured by VAS), and pain on joint use. The patient's opinion regarding the efficacy of the treatment was good or very good. Safety: side effects were observed in two patients (one with pain during the JL and the other with pain during the 24 h following the procedure). It is concluded that JL proves effective in the symptomatic treatment of the OAH during an evaluation period of up to 3 months.