Viscosupplementation Injection
Hyaluronic acid is a substance that occurs naturally in the synovial fluid of your joints. In the knees, this thick, gel-like fluid serves as a cushion, absorbing shock from activities like walking, running, twisting, and turning.
What Are Viscosupplements?
Managing Knee Osteoarthritis with Viscosupplementation
Knee osteoarthritis (OA) cannot be cured, but there are various treatment options available to help alleviate symptoms and potentially slow down the progression of the disease. Initially, doctors may recommend conservative approaches like exercise, physical therapy, and weight loss to reduce pain and inflammation. If these methods are not effective or if symptoms worsen, more advanced treatments may be necessary.
In the quest for less invasive and more effective solutions, researchers and doctors have been exploring lubrication injections, known as viscosupplementation. This treatment involves injecting hyaluronic acid into the knee joint's synovial fluid to enhance lubrication. Although relatively new, viscosupplementation injection has become popular and is widely used for managing mild to moderate knee OA.
How Viscosupplements Work
Each dose of viscosupplement contains hyaluronic acid, which is injected into the knee joint. Patients with knee OA typically have lower levels of hyaluronic acid in their synovial fluid, resulting in thinner and less effective joint lubrication. By introducing hyaluronic acid into the joint, viscosupplementation improves lubrication and facilitates movement. Additionally, research suggests that these injections may stimulate the body's natural production of hyaluronic acid, enhancing long-term joint cushioning and prolonging the benefits of the treatment.
Who Benefits from Viscosupplementation?
Viscosupplementation is most beneficial for patients with mild to moderate knee OA, especially those who have not responded well to other treatments like physical therapy, weight loss, pain relievers, or corticosteroid injections. However, individuals with severe OA, particularly those with bone-on-bone contact in the joint, may not experience significant relief and may require more aggressive treatments such as surgery or joint replacement.
When to Expect Results
The effects of viscosupplementation are not immediate. While some patients may feel relief after the first injection, the most significant improvement typically occurs eight to 12 weeks after starting the treatment. To sustain long-term symptom relief, injections should be repeated approximately every six months.