Targeted Injections, Lasting Comfort

HYALURONIC ACID INJECTIONS (VISCOSUPPLEMENTATION)

Viscosupplementation is a procedure in which a thick fluid called hyaluronate is injected into the knee joint. Hyaluronic Acid is present in the body naturally and is found in the synovial fluid surrounding joints. It acts as a lubricant to enable bones to move smoothly over each other and as a shock absorber for exertions on the joints. People with osteoarthritis have a lower-than-normal concentration of hyaluronic acid in their joints.

Viscosupplementation was first used in Europe and Asia, and was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1997.

Healing Joints, One Injection at a Time

  • Hyaluronic acid, a gel like fluid, is injected in the knee joint to help lubricate it.
  • There may be a single or multiple shots of Hyaluronic Acid given to the patient, depending on the case.
  • The procedure is advised when steroid injections fail to show progress.
  • This procedure is best for patients with mild to moderate OA of the knee.
  • Not all patients are helped by the injections. Most patients report the greatest pain relief 8-12 weeks after beginning treatment, though some fee a difference within the first 3-5 weeks as well.
  • The length of pain relief varies; some patients have reported benefits for more than 6 months following the injections.
  • The most commonly reported side effects associated with the hyaluronate injections are temporary injection-site pain; swelling, heat, or redness; rash and itching; bruising around the joint; and fluid accumulation in the injected knee.
  • These reactions are usually mild and don’t last long. Similar to steroid injections, rare complications include infection and bleeding.