Comparison Study of Chitosan and Hyaluronate Sodium in the Treatment of Elbow Adhesion

Objective:To study the clinical effect of chit osan and hyaluronate sodium on prevention of elbow adhesion after elbow arthroly sis.Method:Forty patients were divided into three groups.In chitosan group,15 p atie nts after arthrolysis accepted an injection of 2%chitosan into the elbow joint c avity.In hyaluronate sodium group,14 patients after arthrolysis accepted an inje ction of 1% hyaluronate sodium into the elbow joint cavity.There was no chitosa n or hyaluronate sodium used in 14 patients as control group.The average range o f extension and flexion of elbow joint was detected to evaluate the results.Resu lts:All patients were followed up.The follow up time were 42(10～87) months.In t h e chitosan group,the average range of extension and flexion of elbow joint was r estored to 97.7±16.5°,with an average increase of 62.0±12.7°.In the hyaluron a te sodium group,the average range of extension and flexion of elbow joint was re stored to 86.1±18.6°,with an average increase of 48.9±15.1°.In the control group,the co rresponding figures were 70.0±15.1°and 36.1±11.5°.The outcome in the chitosa n group was significantly better than that in the control.The outcome in the chi tosan group was significantly better than that in the hyaluronate sodium group( P 0.05),and in the hyaluronate sodium group better than that in the contro l group( P 0.05).Conclusion:Both chitosan and hyaluronate sodium can preven t or reduce elbow adhesion after elbow arthrolysis,and chitosan is more effectiv e than hyaluronate sodium.