Treatment of osteoarthritis of the ankle by intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid: a prospective study.

Background: Treatment of osteoarthritis of the ankle is similar to that of any other large joint and includes conservative and surgical options. Surgical treatment in severe cases is fusion or joint replacement, whereas conservative treatment is limited and includes mainly ankle supports and physiotherapy. Hyaluronic acid was discovered by Meyer and Palmer in 1934 and has recently been widely used in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.