Hyaluronic acid injections, popularly known as viscosupplementation, have emerged as one of the more popular options for people seeking relief from arthritic pain. Hyaluronic acid lubricates and cushions joint surfaces to ensure smooth movement.

In this blog, let’s learn how hyaluronic acid injections work and their effectiveness in controlling arthritis pain, what conditions are most suitable for this form of treatment, the procedure, and what you should look out for before opting for this mode of treatment.

What Are Hyaluronic Acid Injections?

Hyaluronic acid injections are mainly used for patients with knee problems. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, characterized by the wear and tear of the protective cartilage that cushions the ends of the bones, leading to pain, swelling, and restriction of movement.

In osteoarthritis, the natural concentration of hyaluronic acid in the synovial fluid is reduced. This leads to decreased lubrication, resulting in increased friction between the bones. The injected hyaluronic acid aims to supplement the depleted natural hyaluronic acid, thus providing better lubrication and reducing bone friction. It helps improve the quality of the synovial fluid.

How Effective Are These Injections?

The efficacy of hyaluronic acid injections is significantly patient-dependent. Some of the critical factors and findings in this regard are:

• Relief of Symptoms: Joint mobility increases and pain decreases in most patients, although some do not respond well. Most positive reports are from patients suffering from mild to moderate arthritis rather than those with advanced arthritis.
• Duration of relief: Pain relief from hyaluronic acid injections is not immediate. It can take a few weeks after the injection and can last as long as six months. Once again, this depends on the severity of the arthritis in the patient and how well the patient has improved after the procedure. Repeat injections will be possible if relief occurs and symptoms begin regressing.
• Alternative to Surgery: These injections may be helpful or supportive only in grade one or two osteoarthritides, which might delay complete knee replacement. They can be given a reprieve and a better chance to delay more invasive treatments.
• Reduced Inflammation: Hyaluronic acid is believed to have a mild anti-inflammatory property and has proven helpful in patients with arthritis. Inflammation is primarily responsible for arthritis pain and joint damage.

Can Hyaluronic Acid Injections Improve Joint Movements?

Yes, injections with hyaluronic acid improve lubrication around joints, which can help improve mobility. Restoring some lost padding reduces stiffness and facilitates daily activities for patients with mild and moderate arthritis.

They often accompany other treatments such as physical therapy, weight management, and anti-inflammatory medications. Combining these can improve the treatment, giving better pain relief and better joint function than injecting alone.

Recommendations:

Injections of hyaluronic acid are suitable for patients who:

• Fail to respond to other conservative, non-surgical treatments, such as physical therapy, weight loss, or pain medications
• Have experienced only moderate osteoarthritis, not requiring surgery. However, in the case of severe arthritis or someone who has suffered significant damage to his joint structures, hyaluronic acid injections are less effective and not recommended.
   

The Procedure:

The process of hyaluronic acid injection is relatively straightforward and not very invasive. Usually, this is done in a doctor's office under sterile conditions:

1. Preparation: The physician will clean the injection site, which is most often the knee, and may locally anesthetize the region to minimize pain.
2. Injection: The doctor injects Hyaluronic acid into the joint cavity using a thin needle.
3. After Care: Patients should refrain from strenuous activities for at least one or two days after receiving the injection. Pain at the injection site is minor and usually disappears shortly. Depending on the formulation, a series of injections might be required. Others may only need one injection.
    

Conclusion

Hyaluronic acid injections are another form of treatment to alleviate arthritis pain, especially in those with osteoarthritis. This injection type greatly decreases pain and enhances joint function. However, its effectiveness might be limited in some patients, especially those with advanced arthritis. A visit to an experienced doctor would be necessary to help decide whether hyaluronic acid injections are appropriate or not.