Hyaluronic Acid injections for Osteoarthritis of the Knee
Hyaluronic acid (HA) injections are a medical procedure for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee in individuals whose pain has not responded appropriately to conservative care.
OA is the most common form of arthritis, and the knee is one of the most commonly affected joints. Everyone’s joints go through a normal cycle of “wear and tear” throughout life, but sometimes the body’s process to repair our joints can cause changes in their shape or structure.
Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage in your knee joint to thin and the surfaces of the joint to become rough, which means that your knee doesn’t move as smoothly as it once did and it may feel painful and stiff.
Brand Names of Treatment Include ORTHOVISC® or EUFLEXXA®
ORTHOVISC® (High Molecular Weight Hyaluronan) is made from ultra-pure hyaluronan, a naturally occurring lubricant found in healthy knee joints. This knee pain injection is also the only treatment providing up to six months of pain relief that does not come from avian sources. This means that ORTHOVISC® will not cause an allergic reaction if you suffer from avian allergies.
EUFLEXXA® is a gel-like, elastic, sterile product containing natural, highly purified hyaluronan (pronounced hye-a-loo-ROE-nan). Hyaluronan is a natural substance found in the body. It is present in particularly high amounts in joint tissues and in the fluid that fills the joints. The body’s own hyaluronan acts like a lubricant and a shock absorber in the joint. It is needed for the joint to function properly. Unlike some other hyaluronan products, EUFLEXXA does not come from birdderived sources.
How is ORTHOVISC® or EUFLEXXA® given?
ORTHOVISC® and EUFLEXXA® come in pre-filled syringes containing 2 mL (about half a teaspoon) of the product. The treatment is given by injection directly into the knee joint via ultrasound guidance. The solution is injected into your knee(s) once a week, for a total of three injections. Although individual results may vary, some people feel relief after the first injection. The osteoarthritis injection procedure itself usually only takes a few minutes, and most patients experience little or no discomfort.
What should I do after receiving a hyaluronic acid injection?
Avoid physical activity for 48 hours following the injection to keep your knee(s) from swelling. Some examples of activities to avoid include:
Running
Tennis
Hiking
Jumping
Swimming
Heavy lifting (weight lifting)
Jogging
Bicycling
Aerobic exercise
Do not stand on your feet for more than one hour at a time during the first 48 hours following your procedure.
You should ask your doctor when you should begin major physical activities again.