Hyaluronic + Corticosteroid Injections and Physical Therapy for Hip Issues

(NON-OP HIP Trial)

Overseen By Steven Phillips

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: ArthroBiologix Inc.

Must not be taking: Steroid injections

Disqualifiers: Infection, Osteonecrosis, Fractures, Hypermobility, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 8 weeks

100 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether combining physical therapy with two injections—hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids (intra-articular corticosteroid injections)—can better assist people with hip issues compared to injections alone. These injections aim to ease pain and improve hip function without surgery. The trial seeks individuals with mild hip arthritis, possibly with a labral tear or hip impingement, who have experienced significant pain relief from a test injection. Participants should be able to attend private physical therapy sessions. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity for patients to explore innovative treatment combinations for hip issues.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the study team or your doctor.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research has shown that injections directly into the joint using a mix of hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids are generally safe and well-tolerated. These treatments effectively target the specific area with few side effects. Triamcinolone, a corticosteroid used in these injections, relieves pain quickly, often within 2 to 6 weeks, though this relief may last only a few months.

The combination of hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids aims to provide both quick and longer-lasting relief. Hyaluronic acid works more slowly but offers benefits over a longer period. Most side effects are minor, such as temporary pain or swelling at the injection site, though there is a small risk of more serious effects, which are rare.

Combining these injections with physical therapy is a common approach to improve movement and reduce pain in hip problems. While this specific combination hasn't been extensively studied together, each treatment is known to be safe when used individually. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about these treatments for hip issues because they combine hyaluronic acid and corticosteroids, offering a dual-action approach that could provide both immediate and long-lasting relief. Hyaluronic acid acts as a lubricant and cushion within the hip joint, potentially improving mobility and reducing pain over time. Meanwhile, corticosteroids deliver rapid anti-inflammatory effects, which could quickly decrease pain and swelling. Unlike standard treatments that might focus on just one of these aspects, this combination offers a comprehensive attack on hip discomfort. Additionally, the experimental treatment arm includes a structured physical therapy program, which could enhance recovery and improve overall joint function.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for hip issues?

Studies have shown that combining hyaluronic acid and corticosteroid injections can relieve hip pain. Corticosteroids act quickly, but their effects last only a few months. Hyaluronic acid takes longer to work but offers longer-lasting relief. In this trial, one group of participants will receive both the hyaluronic acid and corticosteroid injections, along with an 8-week physiotherapy protocol. Research suggests that adding physical therapy to these injections may enhance results. This combination can reduce pain and improve hip movement. In some cases, it might also delay the need for surgery. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with mild-to-moderate hip pain and functional limitations due to conditions like femoroacetabular impingement, labral tears, or osteoarthritis. It's not suitable for those needing surgery or who have severe symptoms.

Inclusion Criteria

Able to subsidize private physiotherapy services

Able to provide informed consent

I am between 40 and 60 years old.

Exclusion Criteria

Injuries sustained in the workplace and have a worker's compensation claim

I have had surgery on my pelvis, hip, or lower limb.

Injuries sustained in a motor vehicle collision

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive an ultrasound-guided injection of hyaluronic acid and triamcinolone, with an 8-week physiotherapy protocol for the experimental group

8 weeks

8 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, including adverse events and quality of life assessments

6 months

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Intra-articular Corticosteroid
• Physiotherapy

Trial Overview The study tests if combining a corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid injection with physiotherapy improves outcomes in hip pathology patients compared to the injection alone.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Hyaluronic and corticosteroid injection with physical therapy Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Patients will receive an ultrasound-guided injection consisting of 3 ml hyaluronic acid (Durolane™) mixed with 40 mg triamcinolone (Kenalog™) into their hip joint. Patients will also receive an 8-week physiotherapy protocol, consisting of 8 visits. The protocol will consist of 1 visit per week.

Group II: Hyaluronic and corticosteroid injection Active Control 1 Intervention

Patients will receive an ultrasound-guided injection consisting of 3 ml hyaluronic acid (Durolane™) mixed with 40 mg triamcinolone (Kenalog™) into their hip joint.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

ArthroBiologix Inc.

Lead Sponsor

Trials

2

Recruited

260+

Citations

1. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-labrum-injury-of-the-hip-joint-10-2024-51627

Hyaluronic + Corticosteroid Injections and Physical ... Trial Overview The study tests if combining a corticosteroid and hyaluronic acid injection with physiotherapy improves outcomes in hip pathology patients ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10672933/

Multidisciplinary Rehabilitation after Hyaluronic Acid ... When HA injections are combined with physical exercise or rehabilitation, the synergistic effects can lead to better outcomes and improved ...

3. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2665913124000232

The effects of exercise and intra-articular injections versus ... The purpose of this scoping review is to examine studies that compare combining exercise and intra-articular knee injections to exercise alone for the ...

4. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2077-0383/12/20/6600

The Effects of Ultrasound-Guided Intra-Articular Injections ... The purpose of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of ultrasound-guided IA hip injections of hyaluronic acid (HA) with or without corticosteroids ( ...

5. nejm.org nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa1905877

Physical Therapy versus Glucocorticoid Injection for ... Patients with osteoarthritis of the knee who underwent physical therapy had less pain and functional disability at 1 year than patients who received an ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11919992/

The Current Status and Future Prospects of Intra-articular ... Intra-articular treatments have shown excellent local efficacy while significantly minimizing adverse reactions in patients.

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S106345842401389X

Effectiveness and safety of intra-articular interventions for ... The effects of 16 intra-articular interventions in knee or hip OA were smaller than the MID, and that most were consistent with placebo effects.

8. oarsijournal.com oarsijournal.com/article/S1063-4584(24)01389-X/fulltext

Effectiveness and safety of intra-articular interventions for ... Triamcinolone had the highest probabilities to have a treatment effect beyond the MID at weeks 2–6. Large RCTs with lower risk of bias indicate ...

9. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/jbjsjournal/fulltext/2025/11050/injection_based_therapies_for_the_management_of.14.aspx

Injection-Based Therapies for the Management of Hip and... ➢ Corticosteroid injections are largely safe, but patients and practitioners should be aware of the small risk of adverse side effects, and ...

10. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8808783/

Intraarticular Corticosteroids for Hip Osteoarthritis: A Review This review shows that intraarticular corticosteroid injections are efficacious in hip osteoarthritis and that this benefit can last up to 12 weeks.