Protocols › Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid for knee pain

Goal: What small trials of hyaluronic acid taken by mouth used for knee osteoarthritis, and why the evidence is weak.

Each protocol describes what studies used, for one goal or for one group of people. It is not advice for you: talk to a doctor before you start a supplement.

Updated 9 Nov 2026
Dose

200 mg a day in a 12-month trial.[1] Studies in a 2024 review gave 30 to 300 mg a day.[2]

Form

Hyaluronic acid,[1] or 80 mg of rooster comb extract rich in hyaluronic acid, added to a yoghurt.[3]

When to take

Once a day.[1]

How long

4 weeks to 12 months.[2]

What studies found

A 2024 review found 11 studies with 597 patients in total. Of these, 9 reported less pain or better function, and side effects were rare and mild.[2] In 60 people with knee osteoarthritis who also did thigh muscle exercises, 200 mg a day helped more than placebo only in people aged 70 or younger.[1]

Ask a doctor first

Knee injections of hyaluronic acid are a different treatment. In large trials, they raised the risk of serious adverse events (relative risk 1.49).[4] NICE advises doctors not to offer them for osteoarthritis.[5]

People who are pregnant, are allergic to bird protein or take medicines every day should ask a doctor or pharmacist first.[6][7]

References

  1. Oral administration of polymer hyaluronic acid alleviates symptoms of knee osteoarthritis: a double-blind, placebo-controlled study over a 12-month period. Tashiro T, Seino S, Sato T, Matsuoka R, Masuda Y, Fukui N ScientificWorldJournal, 2012. PMID 23226979
  2. Oral Hyaluronic Acid in Osteoarthritis and Low Back Pain: A Systematic Review. de Carvalho JF, Davidson J Mediterr J Rheumatol, 2024. PMID 39886281
  3. A low-fat yoghurt supplemented with a rooster comb extract on muscle joint function in adults with mild knee pain: a randomized, double blind, parallel, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of efficacy. Solà R, Valls RM, Martorell I, Giralt M, Pedret A, Taltavull N, et al. Food Funct, 2015. PMID 26302034
  4. Viscosupplementation for knee osteoarthritis: systematic review and meta-analysis. Pereira TV, Jüni P, Saadat P, Xing D, Yao L, Bobos P, et al. BMJ, 2022. PMID 36333100
  5. Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2022. www.nice.org.uk
  6. Scientific Opinion on Rooster Combs Extract. European Food Safety Authority, 2013. efsa.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
  7. Osteoarthritis: In Depth. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, 2016. www.nccih.nih.gov