Osteoarthritis affects the whole joint apparatus — the cartilage, the subchondral bone, the synovial membrane, the ligaments and the muscles. Its aetiology is multifactorial, comprising a complex of degenerative, inflammatory and regenerative processes. This gives rise to the need for comprehensive treatment that addresses the most important pathogenetic factors. The online seminar “A new era of injectable osteoarthritis therapy: combination gives the lead” (October 2025) was devoted to this topic and was followed by approximately 600 Czech and Slovak physicians.
Why combination therapy?
Doc. MUDr. Jiří Slíva, PhD., MBA recalled that reduced production of collagen and hyaluronic acid plays a role in the development of OA. Given the multifactorial aetiology, optimal treatment cannot be confined to a single mechanism. ALGYL GGP is built on this concept of combination — a four-component combination of HA (1,200 kDa), N-acetylglucosamine and the amino acids glycine and proline. Within a sequential regimen, ALGYL GGP can be followed by ALGYL COLL, which contains recombinant human collagen. Rationally designed combinations make it possible to influence a broader spectrum of mechanisms and also to reduce the doses of the individual components.
Long-term experience of Professor Trč
Prof. Tomáš Trč, CSc., MBA (FN Motol) presented an extensive series of patients treated with injectable collagen and chondroprotective preparations (420 patients with gonarthrosis). He recommended the following approach: after diagnosis, oral chondroprotective agents should be tried first and, if they fail, treatment should move to the intra-articular route (ALGYL GGP, followed where appropriate by ALGYL COLL). In grade II–III OA, combined intra-articular treatment may help to postpone or eliminate the need for surgery.
International experience of Professor Dufek
Prof. Dr. habil. Pavel Dufek (Sporthopaedic, Hamburg) drew attention to the frequent occurrence of OA in athletes. He has been using ALGYL GGP since 2024: in gonarthrosis he begins with ALGYL GGP and, after three weeks, administers ALGYL COLL. In a series of 37 patients, improvement was seen in 60–70% of patients 8–12 weeks after administration of ALGYL GGP; no adverse effects occurred.
Professor Kokavec: clinical study with ALGYL GGP
Prof. MUDr. Milan Kokavec, PhD., MPH (LF UK a NÚDCH Bratislava) presented the results of a prospective, randomized, blinded study in 111 patients (three groups: HA / HA + proline / the four-component combination ALGYL GGP). Improvement occurred in all groups, but with the four-component combination it was more pronounced and more durable (WOMAC, Lequesne, VAS). The preparation has an excellent safety profile; it has been used in practice in more than 200,000 applications, the effect was long-lasting and it holds a safety certificate. Unlike corticosteroids, ALGYL GGP does not cause chondrotoxicity; on the contrary, it protects the cartilage.
Experience from everyday practice (Poštulka, Petrík)
MUDr. Pavel Poštulka (Prague) has so far treated 180 patients with injection therapy, most often in the knee. MUDr. Peter Petrík (OrtoConsult, Topoľčany) has experience of approximately 100 administrations of ALGYL GGP; he regards injectable combination therapy as an approach that in many patients makes it possible to postpone or to replace a surgical solution. He does not use intra-articular corticosteroids because of their chondrotoxicity.
Editorial note: When administering ALGYL GGP, the current instructions for use must be followed; these specify a suitable 18–22G needle.
Conclusion
The aetiology of osteoarthritis is multifactorial, which gives rise to the need for treatment that simultaneously addresses the most important pathogenetic factors. The trend is towards a combination of active components that brings relief to patients without burdening them with adverse effects.
The text is of a professional nature and is intended for healthcare professionals; it does not replace the current instructions for use (IFU) or individual clinical judgement. Scientific editorial team, Edukafarm.