New study tests Drug-and-Injection combo to ease knee pain without opioids

NCT ID NCT04504812

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Johns Hopkins University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested a step-by-step treatment plan for people with knee osteoarthritis pain. Participants first received duloxetine (Cymbalta), a drug that helps with pain, and then, if needed, an injection of hyaluronic acid mixed with a steroid into the knee joint. The goal was to reduce pain and improve daily function without using opioids. Over 1,900 people took part in this completed Phase 3 trial.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

Duloxetine (Cymbalta) and hyaluronic acid plus steroid injection

What this could lead to

If successful, this could provide a proven, non-surgical treatment sequence to help people with knee osteoarthritis manage pain and stay active without relying on opioids.

What could go wrong

This is a completed Phase 3 trial, but results may not apply to everyone with knee osteoarthritis. The treatments have side effects, and not all participants may experience meaningful pain relief.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

osteoarthritis osteoarthritis, knee

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

KNEE OSTEOARTHRITIS

Contacts and locations

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Locations

Atlanta VA Medical Center

Decatur, Georgia, 30033, United States
Brigham and Women's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02199, United States
Cleveland VA Medical Center

Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States
Emory University

Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
Johns Hopkins

Baltimore, Maryland, 21287, United States
Northwestern University

Chicago, Illinois, 60611, United States
Oregon Health and Science University

Portland, Oregon, 97239, United States
University Hospitals

Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States
University of California Davis

Sacramento, California, 95817, United States
University of California San Diego

San Diego, California, 92037, United States
University of Colorado

Aurora, Colorado, 80045, United States
University of Florida

Gainesville, Florida, 32608, United States
University of Iowa

Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
University of Minnesota

Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55455, United States
University of North Carolina

Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27599, United States
University of Rochester Medical Center

Rochester, New York, 14623, United States
University of Utah

Salt Lake City, Utah, 84108, United States
University of Virginia

Charlottesville, Virginia, 22908, United States
University of Washington

Seattle, Washington, 98185, United States
VA Medical Center San Diego

San Diego, California, 92161, United States
Vanderbilt University

Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States
Wake Forest University

Winston-Salem, North Carolina, 27517, United States
Walter Reed Army Medical Center

Bethesda, Maryland, 20889, United States
Weill Cornell University

New York, New York, 10019, United States