[Intra-articular use of sodium hyaluronate (2,2,-2,7 MDa) in the treatment of Moroccan patients with knee osteoarthritis: randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To assess the efficacy of intra-articular sodium hyaluronate, administred once weekly for 3 weeks (3 injections) in Moroccan patients with knee osteoarthritis over 6-month period.

Material And Methods: We prospectively studied the outcome of 75 patients with painful knee osteoarthritis in grade 1, 2 and 3 on ACR radiological criteria in our rheumatology clinic in Morocco. Group 1: 45 patients were treated with 3-weekly injections of intra-articular sodium hyaluronate (1%; 2,2-2,7 MDa).

Cryofibrinogen levels are increased in non-traumatic osteonecrosis: a new pathogenic clue to osteonecrosis?

Objective: To determine whether levels of cryofibrinogen are increased in non-traumatic osteonecrosis (ON) and could correlate with disease staging.

Methods: We prospectively analysed cryofibrinogen levels by immunofixation electrophoresis in 50 patients with non-traumatic ON, 50 healthy volunteers and 8 patients with traumatic ON. Staging of disease involving the femoral heads and the size of necrotic lesions were assessed by the Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) classification system.