viscosity supplementation-hyaluronic acid-OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE
Bone friction in the knee(OSTEOARTHRITIS OF THE KNEE) is one of the main causes of disability worldwide. It develops slowly and the pain gets worse over time. Although there is no cure for (OSTEOARTHRITIS , there are many treatment options available to help people manage pain and stay active.
In its early stages, knee osteoarthritis is treated with non-surgical methods. Dr. Mohamed Hutaif may recommend a range of treatments, including:
- Modify Your Activities
- Weight loss
- Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen
- physical therapy
- corticosteroid injections
Another treatment option is a procedure called viscosity supplementation. If you have tried all other non-surgical treatment methods and pain continues to limit your activities, viscosity supplementation may be an option.
In this procedure, a gel-like liquid called hyaluronic acid is injected into the knee joint. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the synovial fluid surrounding joints. It acts as a lubricant to enable the bones to move smoothly over each other and as a shock absorber for joint loads. People with osteoarthritis have lower than normal concentrations of hyaluronic acid in their joints. The theory is that adding hyaluronic acid to an arthritic joint will make movement easier and reduce pain.
However, the latest research has not found viscosity supplementation to be effective in significantly reducing pain or improving function. Although some patients report pain relief with the procedure, the injections do not help some people.
Viscosity supplements were first used in Europe and Asia, and were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 1997. Many hyaluronic acid preparations are now available commercially.
