Hyaluronan does not cure osteoarthritis or heal worn out cartilage. However, it may improve pain and stiffness temporarily. The way that hyaluronan works to help osteoarthritis of the knee is not entirely known. Benefit is usually noticed after the first week or two and lasts longer than the molecule actually stays in the joint sometimes six months or longer. The likelihood of side-effects is small.
Rare patients report that the increased pain lasts up to three weeks after injection.
As with any medication, it is possible to be allergic to hyaluronan. Hyaluronan is derived from rooster combs. Therefore, persons allergic to chickens or chicken products should not take hyaluronan. Also, with any injection into a joint, bacteria can invade the joint and cause a joint infection. This is serious, sometimes requiring surgery to drain the joint.