Abstract
Viscosupplementation (intra-articular supplementation of hyaluronic acid - HA) provides a useful alternative in treating osteo-arthritis patients and it is included in the professional guidelines for treatment of the disease in knee joint. Rheological investigations add an important element to viscosupplements characterization. In order to improve the hyaluronic acid concentration in currently commercial viscoelastic solution but also for targeted release on the clinical needs, we propose to use the magnetic nanoparticles functionalized with hyaluronic acid. In this paper, we analyze the rheological properties of some experimental viscoelastic solutions obtained after the modification of the commercial viscoelastic solution with a concentration of 40 mg/2mL HA (Arthrum) using different concentration of functionalized magnetic nanoparticles, using a Paar – Physica MC 301 Rheometer. The results indicate improved viscoelastic properties with increased HA concentration. Solutions with lower viscosity are much less effective in converting mechanical energy into elastic deformation and the effect being more visible with time. Keywords: sodium hyaluronate, concentration, ferromagnetic nanoparticles, rheology