How Effective Are Viscosupplement Injections in Remedying Knee Pain?

People often put off treatment for knee pain out of fear they’ll just have to learn to live with it. Or, worse yet, undergo surgery. However, a wide range of available treatments can help relieve even the most common joint pain and get you on your feet again. One of these game-changing options is called viscosupplement injections.

At Neuropathy and Pain Centers of Texas, with locations in Fort Worth, Arlington, Wichita Falls, and Waco, Texas, our team personalizes our treatment plans based on the needs of our individual patients. If osteoarthritis is to blame for your severe or disabling knee pain, here’s how viscosupplement injections could help.

Why osteoarthritis causes knee pain

Osteoarthritis is a common source of chronic knee pain. 

This prevalent form of arthritis impacts millions of people around the world. It occurs when the protective layers of cartilage on the ends of your bones deteriorate and wear away. Without this protective cushion, your bones begin to grind against each other. But that’s not the only issue behind your pain.

Your joints also contain synovial fluid, a naturally occurring lubricant containing hyaluronic acid. This substance lubricates your joints so they can move smoothly. However, when you have osteoarthritis, the hyaluronic acid in your body also decreases, meaning even less lubrication for your bones and joints.

These changes in cartilage and synovial fluid leave your joints without protection and lubrication, so they continue rubbing against each other, leading to pain and additional joint deterioration.

How viscosupplement injections can help

If you have knee pain from osteoarthritis, we have good news. 

Viscosupplement injections contain hyaluronic acid. When injected into your knee joint, they can supplement your lost synovial fluid, helping to restore joint lubrication and function. And it comes with an added bonus — hyaluronic acid can also reduce inflammation at the same time.

In addition to the anti-inflammatory and lubricating benefits of viscosupplement injections, research indicates that receiving these targeted treatments can actually encourage your body to produce more hyaluronic acid. That means you can get fast pain relief from your treatment and longer-lasting results from the natural increase in lubricant production!

Last but not least, restoring lost hyaluronic acid in your joints can benefit your cartilage as well. This substance works to nourish cartilage, preventing additional deterioration and increasing joint movement at the same time.

What to expect from viscosupplement injections

If your knee pain hasn’t responded to more conservative approaches, like activity modification and physical therapy, we might recommend viscosupplement injections. 

There are different viscosupplement injections, so treatment varies depending on which option is best for you. Generally speaking, you can expect anywhere from 1-5 injections, typically spread over several weeks.

Getting a viscosupplement injection itself is fairly straightforward. We often numb your knee in advance and drain any built-up fluid, if necessary. Then, we administer your injection.

After your treatment, you can return home. In most cases, we recommend avoiding activities that put stress on your knees for a few days. If you respond to viscosupplement injections, you should notice a difference within a few weeks, and it should last for several months. To maintain your results, plan on a follow-up treatment approximately six months later.

For the best results, we recommend viscosupplement injections as part of a larger knee therapy treatment strategy.

Curious to see if viscosupplement injections can relieve your knee pain? Contact Neuropathy and Pain Centers of Texas today to schedule a consultation at our office nearest you.