Osteoarthritis of the knee is one of the leading causes of disability in the United States. It develops slowly and the pain it causes worsens over time. Patients who have pain resulting from osteoarthritis of the knee now have other options to help reduce this discomfort and improve their quality of life.
If you have tried all other nonsurgical treatment methods, such as pain relievers, physical therapy or Corticosteroid injections, and your pain continues to limit your activities, viscosupplementation may be an option.
Viscosupplementation, otherwise known as gel shots, is a procedure where a gel-like fluid called hyaluronic acid is injected into the knee joint. Our joints have what is called synovial fluid in them. Over time, patients who have arthritis will lose some of the viscosity of this joint fluid, as it becomes more water like with age.
To supplement the missing components of the fluid, we can offer a series of these injections. A couple of common brand names for this are Gelsyn-3 and Gel One and they are often covered by insurance.
Our patients see minimal reactions and often find these to be very helpful in decreasing discomfort associated with osteoarthritis of the knee.
For those who report pain relief with the procedure, it may take several weeks to notice an improvement. How long the effects last varies. Some patients report pain relieving effects for several months following the injections. If the injections are effective they may be repeated after a period of time, usually 6 months.
If you have tried all other nonsurgical treatment methods, such as pain relievers, physical therapy or Corticosteroid injections, and your pain continues to limit your activities, viscosupplementation may be an option.
What is Viscosupplementation?
Viscosupplementation, otherwise known as gel shots, is a procedure where a gel-like fluid called hyaluronic acid is injected into the knee joint. Our joints have what is called synovial fluid in them. Over time, patients who have arthritis will lose some of the viscosity of this joint fluid, as it becomes more water like with age.
To supplement the missing components of the fluid, we can offer a series of these injections. A couple of common brand names for this are Gelsyn-3 and Gel One and they are often covered by insurance.
What to Expect After the Procedure
Our patients see minimal reactions and often find these to be very helpful in decreasing discomfort associated with osteoarthritis of the knee.
For those who report pain relief with the procedure, it may take several weeks to notice an improvement. How long the effects last varies. Some patients report pain relieving effects for several months following the injections. If the injections are effective they may be repeated after a period of time, usually 6 months.