Joint Fluid Replacement

What is Knee joint fluid replacement Injections?

If you have osteoarthritis that affects your knees, an injection of Sodium Hyaluronate could help ease your pain and stiffness.

People with arthritis get these shots to help lubricate their joints so that they work more smoothly.

We at OrthoVision Clinic can let you know if it would help you based on your symptoms and extent of cartilage damage.

How Do They Work?

Normal synovial fluid contains a substance present throughout the body’s joints. It helps lubricate your joints. If you have osteoarthritis, your supply of synovial fluid has decreased.

The procedure is simple. Your doctor injects hyaluronic acid directly into your knee joint. Most people get a shot every 6 months. The FDA has only approved this treatment for people with osteoarthritis of the knee, but some people get it in other joints as well.

There are different brands of hyaluronic acid that haven’t been shown to differ in their effectiveness.

Will This Treatment Help You?

If you are older or have advanced osteoarthritis, you may be less likely to find relief from this treatment.

What to Consider?

Usually, people only try hyaluronic acid when treatments like physiotherapy, exercise, and injections with painkillers and steroids don’t provide enough help.

One advantage is that the side effects, such as swelling and discomfort on the area of your skin where you get the shot, are mild. Since the risks are small, your doctor may think that hyaluronic acid is worth a try, especially if your only other option is surgery.

Hyaluronic acid may also be a good choice if you have trouble with side effects of other treatments. For instance, some people can’t take common painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen because of risk of developing peptic ulcer. And steroid injections, another common treatment for osteoarthritis, can harm your joints if overused.