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Also known as HA, Sodium hyaluronate
Glycosaminoglycan naturally present in skin, joint synovial fluid, and connective tissue, capable of binding many times its weight in water; oral and injectable forms are studied for skin hydration and joint lubrication.
We link to relevant studies and leave interpretation to you and your healthcare professional.
Number of audited published findings for Hyaluronic Acid by condition. Drill into a pair page for the full breakdown.
Where people report using it and what trials suggest
Common claims the trials do not support
Injected HA works for knee OA; oral HA has small positive skin-moisture trials and weak oral joint evidence.
Safety notes: Oral: benign. Injections: local reaction risk (clinical setting).
Evidence grades reflect study quality and consistency, not marketing claims.
Summaries of published trial results for this compound, grouped by condition. Numbers are reported exactly as the researchers published them — we never calculate or convert.
How to read this table
In short: benefit is what was observed; evidence is how much you should trust the observation. A “Benefit seen” tag on a weak study counts for far less than the same tag on a meta-analysis.
| Outcome measured | What trials found | Effect size | People studied | Duration | Type of evidence | Study |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| pain relief (VAS) comparing HA vs corticosteroid injections | Hyaluronic acid injections significantly improved pain scores compared to corticosteroid injections in 1023 patients with shoulder osteoarthritis. (p=0.002)Benefit seen | no number reported | 1023 | — | Meta-analysis · 2023 | PMID 37314198 |
| pain relief (VAS/NRS) comparing HA+PT vs PT alone | Hyaluronic acid plus physical therapy improved pain scores with an effect size of 4.43 compared to physical therapy alone in 1023 patients. (p=0.00006)Benefit seen | 4.43 ES | 1023 | — | Meta-analysis · 2023 |
Associated conditions and community-reported outcomes, wrapped together on one page. Aggregates appear only once enough reports arrive.
How this compound is sold in the UK, and where our readers typically find it.
Retailer search links — we may earn commission on purchases at no cost to you. Commission never affects our evidence ratings.
| Adverse events | No significant difference in adverse events vs PRP or HA alone in 941 patients. (P>0.05)No clear benefit | no number reported | 941 | — | Meta-analysis · 2020 | PMID 32278352 |
| Lequesne Index | Lequesne scores improved by SMD -0.42 vs PRP alone in 941 patients over 6 months. (95% CI: -0.67 to -0.17; P<0.05)Benefit seen | -0.42 SMD | 941 | 6 months | Meta-analysis · 2020 | PMID 32278352 |
| VAS for pain | Pain scores improved by SMD -0.31 vs PRP alone in 941 patients over 6 months. (95% CI: -0.55 to -0.06; P=0.01<0.05)Benefit seen | -0.31 SMD | 941 | 6 months | Meta-analysis · 2020 | PMID 32278352 |
| WOMAC Function Score | Function scores improved by SMD -0.32 vs PRP alone in 941 patients over 12 months. (95% CI: -0.54 to -0.10; P<0.05)Benefit seen | -0.32 SMD | 941 | 12 months | Meta-analysis · 2020 | PMID 32278352 |
| WOMAC Total Score | Total scores improved by SMD -0.42 vs PRP alone in 941 patients over 12 months. (95% CI: -0.67 to -0.17; P<0.05)Benefit seen | -0.42 SMD | 941 | 12 months | Meta-analysis · 2020 | PMID 32278352 |
| pain relief | High molecular weight hyaluronic acid provided superior pain relief compared to low molecular weight products.Benefit seen | no number reported | — | — | Systematic review · 2023 | PMID 37314014 |