Viscosupplementation – The Answer to your Painful Knees
Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knees is known to be one of the number one causes of disability in the United States. It’s a condition that gradually develops and can cause plenty of discomfort over time. Osteoarthritis deals with the wearing and tearing of cartilage, along with the decreasing of the amount of synovial fluid in the joint. And when this happens, you start feeling symptoms of osteoarthritis. Some of the most common signs of knee osteoarthritis include joint pains, flexibility loss, and stiffness.
Doctors could start up your treatment by asking you to try out exercising, attend physical therapy sessions, or even to lose weight to lessen the inflammation and pain. If your OA just keeps getting worse and the treatments are not giving off the desired effect, then your doctor might suggest viscosupplementation.
Viscosupplementation is a type of procedure in which lubricating fluid is injected into your aching joints. This type of procedure is reserved until you have tried out other types of treatment options, but proved futile when it comes to relieving pain. The injected fluid is a dose of hyaluronic acid. The extra acid fills up the joint area with the synovial fluid, and increases the amount of lubrication inside your joints, allowing you to move faster and easier. There are doctors out there who believe that injecting hyaluronic acid can cause the body to produce its own hyaluronic acid. This can further cushion your aching joints, and make the effects last much longer. There are three to five injections per session, all done one week apart.
The USFDA (United States Food and Drug Administration) initially approved the process of viscosupplementation in 1997, since it was proven effective when it comes to treating osteoarthritis on the knees.
Benefits of Viscosupplementation
Once successful, viscosupplementation can give you relief from the osteoarthritis pain for at least three months, sometimes even longer. The first thirteen weeks usually provide the biggest amount of comfort, allowing you to walk, sit down and recline. Both the swelling and discomfort are also lessened, and this can bring a huge improvement in your daily lifestyle.