Hyaluronic Acid Injections For Knee Pain
Knee pain can be managed, reduced, or treated with a method that involves injecting and administering medication straight into the knee joint capsule. This is known as knee injections or intra-articular injection.
Knee Capsule: Hyaluronic Acid in Synovial Fluid
Synovial fluid is a viscose solution found in synovial joints. It plays an important role in lubrication, reducing friction, and absorbing shock between the articular cartilages of synovial joints during movement.
The hyaluronic acid is an important component of the synovial fluid, along with other substances like lubricin, proteinases, collagenases, etc
Thus, reduction or decrease in the production of these substances means a decrease in synovial fluid and vice versa.
Consequently, if the synovial fluid is decreased, it causes problems like increases friction, stiffness, pain, etc
Hyaluronic Acid Injections
In cases of disorders like osteoarthritis, joint pain is mainly caused due to changes or addition in the components of the synovial fluid which also causes inflammation.
Consequently, such changes in the synovial fluid will also affect the amount of hyaluronic acid present in the knee capsule.
Thus, in order to restore this acid and reduce joint pain, the doctor injections hyaluronic acid directly into the capsule.
Here’s a list of the benefits of injecting hyaluronic acid in the knees:
Lubrication
Anti-inflammatory
Pain-reliever
Growth and protection of cartilage
Stimulates the body to produce its own hyaluronic acid
Strengthening bones
Procedure
It includes the following steps:
The patient is made to lie on the back with the knee bent and relaxed.
The knee is disinfected with an alcohol swab.
A local anesthetic is administered to numb the area.
Any excess fluid in the knee is drawn out with a syringe.
Using a new and sterile syringe, the doctor will inject the hyaluronic acid on one side of the knee.
Note: It is important that the hyaluronic acid reached the joint capsule and not surrounding tissues. Thus, sometimes, an ultrasound may be used for more clarity.
Risks and Side-effects
Although rare, some side-effects include:
Mild swelling or pain around the Injection site
Pseudo-septic arthritic reactions
Infections
Allergic reactions
Bursitis
The patient is advised to rest for a period of 1-2 days as resting reduces the chances of being washed or flushed away from the joint capsule.
Thus, low impact activities like slow and short walks are recommended.
Conclusion
Hyaluronic acid injections are one of the most common types of knee injections that are used by doctors to treat their patients. Lastly, this procedure must be performed by trained professionals as wrong methods of administration could result in serious complications that will further compromise the health of your knees.