Rheological properties and clinical efficacy of a chemically modified hyaluronic acid for joint health enhancement.

Osteoarthritis (OA) significantly impairs mobility and quality of life, with its prevalence rising due to ageing populations. Intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) injections, or viscosupplementation, restore synovial fluid viscosity, enhancing lubrication and joint function. Hymovis®/Hymovis ONE®, an advanced HA-based viscosupplement, incorporates hydrophobic modifications via MO.RE. technology, forming a reversible network that enhances viscoelasticity and lubrication. Hymovis exhibits self-healing properties, retaining elasticity and viscosity under mechanical stress, and demonstrates enhanced resistance to oxidative damage and enzymatic degradation. Evidence also supports its shock absorption and lubricating efficacy, which may exceed that of some cross-linked HA products. Clinical trials confirm its effectiveness in reducing OA-related pain and improving function in the knee, shoulder and hip. Additionally, Hymovis supports meniscal healing, as evidenced by MRI, highlighting its role in conservative meniscal tear management. In sports medicine, Hymovis alleviates joint overuse injuries, reducing pain, enhancing function, and potentially delaying OA progression. Hymovis ONE, specifically indicated for mild-to-moderate knee and hip OA, offers a single-injection solution with long-term benefits. Limitations of this narrative review include a predominance of observational studies and relatively small sample sizes in some clinical trials. Nonetheless, current evidence suggests that Hymovis/Hymovis ONE represent effective intra-articular viscosupplementation options, leveraging MO.RE. technology to improve HA properties. Their clinical efficacy and safety make them valuable for OA management, meniscal injury treatment and joint health maintenance in active individuals, ultimately contributing to improved quality of life.