Intraarticular injection of sodium hyaluronate is known to be effective for osteoarthritis, frozen shoulder, but there are a few report which evaluate its effectiveness for a patient after rotator cuff repair. We investigated the effectiveness of intraarticular injection of sodium hyaluronate after rotator cuff repair. The study included 32 shoulders from 32 patients who underwent rotator cuff repair between October 2005 and May 2007(24 males and 8 females; average age at the time of study, 59.2 years old). Patients were divided into 2 groups, 1 group received intraarticular injection of 2.5ml sodium hyaluronate at the time of 1day, 8days, 15days after the surgery (HA group). Another group received intraarticular injection of 2.5ml natural saline (control group). A follow up study was done for 1 year after surgery, and postoperative result was investigated by visual analog scale(VAS) and JOA score. VAS was estimated in both groups at the time of 1day, 2days, 3days, 5days, 8days, 15days, 1month, 2months, 3months, 6months, 1year after the surgery. JOA score was estimated in both groups at the time of 1month, 2months, 3months, 6months, 1year after the surgery. There was no significant difference in VAS at all observation periods. At the time of 1month, the total JOA score and JOA function score were significantly high in HA group. At the time of 1year, only HA group revealed a significant improvement of JOA ROM score. Sodium hyaluronate has some pharmacologic effects, anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, protection and restoration of joint cartilage, and prevention of adhesion by inhibiting granulation and fibrotic change. In the present study, postoperative intraarticular injection of sodium hyaluronate may be useful for improving function and range of motion in early postoperative period of rotator cuff repair.
