Letter to the Editor - Viscosupplementation – Rezende MU, Campos GC. Rev Bras Ortop 2012;47(2):160-164

Viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid is a widely used treatment for degenerative joint disease. Several articles have shown that the molecular weight of the adopted hyaluronic acid is relevant for the lasting improvement of symptoms, high molecular weight hyaluronic acid performs better in long-term evaluation. In this scenario, the assistant physician needs to know the molecular weight of the chosen product, to set expectations and pick the best option for each case.

Unfortunately, it's usual to have difficulty in knowing the molecular weight of each available product in the market. In a published update of the RBO Viscosuplementação – Rezende MU, Campos GC. Rev Bras Ortop. 2012;47(2):160–164).[1] Durolane® is considered to have an intermediate molecular weight (between 1 and 1.8 × 106 Da), which doesn't seem to be true, at least it is not in accordance with the Institut national d'excellence en santé et services sociaux (INESSS – Canada), equivalent to the ANVISA in Brazil, which characterize Durolane®as a very high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (over 100 × 106 Da) (Agence d'évaluation des technologies et des modes d'intervention en santé (AETMIS). Viscosupplementation for the Treatment of Osteoarthritis of the Knee. Report prepared for AETMIS by Pierre Dagenais and Alicia Framarin (AETMIS 07–06). Montréal: AETMIS, 2007.).

I couldn't find information from Bioventus®.

I think it would be helpful to revise this information.

• Referência

• 1 de Rezende MU, de Campos GC. Viscosuplementação. Rev Bras Ortop 2015; 47 (02) 160-164

Publication History

Article published online:
26 April 2021