Efficacy Analysis of Arthroscopic Surgery Combined with Intra‐articular Chitosan Injection for Stage II‐III Knee Osteoarthritis in Patients with Abnormal Body Weight

Abstract

Objective Weight is an influential factor in knee osteoarthritis (KOA). However, the effect of abnormal body weight on chitosan's efficacy in treating KOA is unclear. This study aimed to explore the differences in the effectiveness of arthroscopic surgery combined with intra‐articular chitosan injection for KOA in patients with abnormal body weight. Methods Patients with stage II‐III KOA (Kellgren–Lawrence rating, K‐L) undergoing arthroscopic surgery were recruited for this clinical study from January 2020 to September 2021. Based on body mass index (BMI) and intra‐articular chitosan injection, patients with KOA undergoing arthroscopic surgery (138 patients) were divided into four groups: low‐weight‐non‐injection (Lw‐N, BMI 0.05). The proportion of patients undergoing subsequent knee arthroplasty during the 2‐year follow‐up period was significantly higher in the Ow‐CS group (20/35) than in the Lw‐CS group (12/39) (p 0.05). Conclusion Arthroscopic surgery combined with intra‐articular chitosan injection shows short‐term positive effects in treating KOA. Intra‐articular chitosan injection appears to have a greater short‐term pain relief effect in obese patients.

Keywords

• Abnormal body weight
• Arthroscopic surgery
• Intra‐articular chitosan injection
• Knee osteoarthritis
• Postoperative chronic residual pain