If you suffer with osteoarthritis of the knee, you are certainly not alone. Managing the pain and staying active aren’t easy. The statistics show that this condition remains one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. To tackle this problem, people usually turn to cortisone injections, physical therapy, and other means. Viscosupplementation is a newer therapy making headlines, and for good reasons. If your movement has been limited, and other treatments aren’t working well, you may wish to consider Viscosupplementation therapy.
HA Injections to the Rescue
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is usually discussed with dermal filler shots for rejuvenating the face, but this gel-like substance also plays a key role in lubricating the joints of your body. The fluid acts like a shock absorber for load-bearing joints during activity. HA is found in the synovial fluid, but when you have osteoarthritis, your joints are surrounded with less of this key lubricant. By injecting the knees with hyaluronic acid, it is believed that your pain will be diminished and your movement will have more range.
How Viscosupplementation Works
Your doctor will aspirate any swelling you have on the knee first. Then, he or she will inject the joint with the thick fluid in one or more strategic injections. Post-treatment, you can apply ice and are advised to abstain from any heavy lifting, jogging or standing for periods of time. Excessive weight-bearing on the leg should be avoided for 48 hours.
It may take several weeks to notice pain relief improvement from your osteoarthritis. If viscosupplementation helps you, the results could last for several months. Most medical experts recommend repeated injections after six months to maintain the effects.
This therapy has been shown to do best for those who have osteoarthritis in its early stages. The injections cannot re-grow your cartilage or halt the arthritic process, but fans of the therapy say it helps keep them active and manages pain.
Get In Touch with Us for More Information
If you would like to learn more about what viscosupplementation could do for you, we warmly invite you to reach out and make an appointment with Phoenix Regenerative Medicine. At our convenient location in Phoenix, AZ, we take great pride in our team of medical specialists. They are always at the forefront of advanced therapies and can determine if you are a good candidate for the procedure. Contact us today to set up your consultation – we look forward to speaking with you!
