Compositions and methods for treating joints

Abstract

Compositions and methods are provided for treating joint conditions, such as osteoarthritis and/or the pain associated therewith. The compositions and methods utilize a first component, namely hyaluraonic acid (“HA”), in combination with a lyophilized second component that is effective to at least temporarily reduce the viscosity of the HA. In an exemplary embodiment, the second component is one or more glycosaminoglycans (“GAG”), such as chondroitin sulfate (“CS”), including CS4 and/or CS6, dermatan sulfate, heparin, heparan sulfate, and keratan sulfate. The composition can optionally include other joint supplements, such as glucosamine (“GlcN”)

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition effective for injection in a joint of a patient, comprising:
 a mixture of a hyalauronic acid and a glycosaminoglycan, wherein the mixture has a first viscosity suitable for injection through a syringe within a first period of time after formation of the mixture and a second viscosity that is greater than the first viscosity following the first period of time.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the glycosaminoglycan comprises chondroitin sulphate. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , further comprising a third component comprising glucosamine. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the glycosaminoglycan is lyophilized. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the hyaluronic acid has a molecular weight of at least of at least about 1.0 MDa. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the hyaluronic acid has a molecular weight of between about 1.0 MDa and 5.0 MDa. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the first period of time is at least 2 minutes. 
     
     
         8 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the first period of time is at least 5 minutes. 
     
     
         9 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the first period of time is at least 15 minutes. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the solvent is selected from group consisting of water, saline, and buffer. 
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the hyaluronic acid has a concentration of at least about 7 mg/mL in the composition. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the hyaluronic acid has a concentration between about 7 mg/mL and about 60 mg/mL in the composition. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the glycosaminoglycan has a concentration of at least about 2 mg/mL. 
     
     
         14 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the glycosaminoglycan has a concentration of at least about 5 mg/mL.