Strontium ranelate as new modality in treatment of primary knee osteoarthritis

Background: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that has an effect on the whole joint structure which includes the synovial layer, cartilage, subchondral bone, ligaments and muscle groups across the joint. Objective: to evaluate effectiveness of strontium ranelate in treatment of patients with primary knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: This randomized clinical trial was done on 30 patients with bilateral Knee osteoarthritis, they were divided into 2 groups. Group 1: 15 patients received strontium ranelate 2 gram and physiotherapy programme. Group 2:15 patients received physiotherapy programme only. All patients were assessed using visual analogue scale for pain (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) and knee MRI. Results: This study included 45 patients with Knee osteoarthritis, 15 patients were excluded based on exclusion criteria, only 30 patients were randomized into 2 groups, 1 patient in group 1 and 2 patients in group 2 didn't complete follow up duration, and statistical data were done only on 27 patients. At the beginning of the study no significant difference was found between both groups in all parameters. A significant improvement in VAS and WOMAC score was found in group 1(p=0.034,p=0.004) in comparison to group 2 after 6 months follow up. There was statistically significant improvement in group 1 in synovitis/effusion detected by MRI in comparison to group 2 after 6 months of treatment. Conclusion: Strontium ranelate (SrR) has great role in reducing pain, synovitis, improving function in primary knee osteoarthritis and could be considered a disease modifying osteoarthritis drug.