Save to favorites
This feature is restricted to active members.
Join now to save favorites and get all member benefits, including over 1,400 reviews.
Join NowAlready a member? Sign in here.
Our Members Asked:
Is hyaluronic acid helpful for osteoarthritis?
Answer:
Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of cartilage and joint fluid. Hyaluronic acid injections are approved by the FDA for arthritis treatment, although an analysis of results from clinical research found that hyaluronic acid injections do not reduce pain or improve function and may increase the risk of serious side effects. Some research suggests that hyaluronic acid supplements may be helpful for people with severe pain from knee osteoarthritis, and for people with knee osteoarthritis who are also overweight - although the evidence is limited to just a few small studies and not all have found a benefit. Be aware that hyaluronic acid is sometimes added to joint health supplements in amounts too small to have an effect, so if you want to try it, be sure your supplement provides an amount used in clinical studies. For more details, see the Hyaluronic acid section of the Review of Supplements for Joint Health. Also see our Top Picks among products.
Join today to unlock all member benefits including full access to all CL Answers and over 1,400 reviews.
Join NowAlready a member? Sign In Here.
Join now at www.consumerlab.com/join/
12 Comments
Join the conversation
Submit your comment
This feature is restricted to active members.
Join now to add comments and get all member benefits, including over 1,400 reviews.
Join NowAlready a member? Sign in here.
Agree to Comment Terms
Please abide by the following:
- If you make a statement of fact, such as whether a type of treatment does or does not work, state your basis -- such as personal experience or a published study.
- If you make a positive or negative comment about a product, note whether or not you have a financial interest in the product or in a competing product.
- Please be respectful in your tone.
- Please do not submit any type of HTML markup or scripting as it will not be accepted, nor will posts that exceed 2,500 characters.
For your privacy, only your first name (from your account) followed by a random number will appear with your comment. Your last name and email address will not be displayed.
Your comment has been submitted
We will review your comment before it is posted.
Related CL Answers (9)
Join over 95,000 Members
Find the best products with instant access to our latest tests & reviews of over 1,400 health products.
Save money by finding high-quality products at lower cost.
Stay safe with the latest clinical findings, warnings, and expert answers.
Suggest products to test.
Stay informed with our e-newsletter.
donald4627
July 12, 2022At my tennis club, every player who received a hyaluronic acid injection with ultrasound location had less pain.
Reply to this post…
Roelof4624
May 04, 201610 years ago, I suffered from a bad knee: a MRI scan showed severe Arthritis. I had a lot of pain.
Since I lived in China at that time, I went to the hospital for accupuncture and massage, which gave me some relief.
By exploring the internet, I also read an article about Hyaluronic Acid which was not very clear concerning results. But this article made me remember my time in Italy when we had horses. One of the horses had a knee problem and after Hyaluronic Acid injections the horse was doing much better. A horse cannot fake improvement, so, I thought if it works for my horse, than it should work with me too.
The Chinese doctor was willing to give me a series of 7 injections in seven days (very cheap in China!) and my knee did not hurt anymore! The doctor told me that I probably would come back after 6-8 months, but only now, after 10 years, the knee starts to hurt again. I will go for a repeat treatment.
Carol4625
July 21, 2019So glad to hear your knee responded to this treatment and especially for so long a time. Does anyone in the US do these injections, or are you going back to China for treatment?
Reply to this post…
Ellen4616
February 11, 2016I have seen a big reduction in joint pain since I switched to a glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM combination that also included Hyaluronic Acid (100mg). My knees, thumb, and elbow do not hurt anymore!
dick4618
July 30, 2016I have not been able to find a product that has the hyaluronic acid; who makes it?
ConsumerLab.com
August 02, 2016Hi Dick - You can find products which contain hyaluronic acid in the Joint Health Supplements Review; this information is noted in the seventh column of the results table: https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/_/join/tsupplements/#results.
ConsumerLab.com
August 02, 2016Hi Dick - You can find products which contain hyaluronic acid in the Joint Health Supplements Review; this information is noted in the seventh column of the results table: https://www.consumerlab.com/reviews/_/join/tsupplements/#results.
Lois4619
May 06, 2017i take Baxyl which is a gel taken by mouth. It is a fabulous product for me and I really notice if I forget to take it. It is just straight hyaluronic acid..
Rose4620
July 20, 2019Where do you obtain Baxyl and how much do you take?
Sean21969
February 12, 2025The glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM combination stopped the clicking in my neck from existing orthopedic issues. Stopped the 24hr. a day pain in my fingers (probably job related + time at home on computers) that NSAIDS could only reduce, but not fully alleviate.
And now my knees don't bother me going up and down stairs.
Which all came back when I stopped for a while.
Type I and III collagen didn't make a difference even though it said joint health on the label. Nor did other things I was taking for other reasons...curcumin, SAMe, ashwagandha, Krill oil with astaxanthin in it, EPA/DHA fish oil, magnesium, flax oil high in Omega 3.
Have added other things that may or may not help to increase odds of issues as I age more.
Hyaluronic acid, Type II collagen, Boswellia with listed amount of AKBA.
Reply to this post…
Judith4614
July 19, 2015https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT01376024
I have had hyaluronic Injections in both thumbs and have been pain free for 10 years after debilitating basal I joint arthrosis took me off work. I am part of the study above and my doctor was Dr. Rosenwasser.
Jacob4615
September 24, 2015Thank you for sharing your experience. Pleased to learn that hyaluroic acid has lasting positive effects on your thumbs. Do you need to cintinue taking supplements with hyaluronic acid?
Reply to this post…