BOTOX works by blocking the pain signals that trigger migraines, so you can prevent headaches from occurring. Plus, treatment can be repeated to help keep those painful symptoms at bay without relying on pain medications.
You have chronic pain from arthritis that makes your knee painful, inflamed, and even swollen. But you’re not quite ready to go in for surgery and don’t want to rely entirely on pain medications for relief. Viscosupplementation, or hyaluronic acid injections, may be an option for relief.
This non-surgical intervention restores lubricating fluid to the joint so you can temporarily move it without pain and discomfort. At Rio Grande Pain Team, we want you to understand the procedure, its possible benefits for you, and how it can help you find relief without going under the scalpel.
Viscosupplementation involves the injection of lubricating fluid into a joint — in this case, the knee. That lubricating fluid is hyaluronic acid, a natural compound that your body produces and that exists in the synovial fluid that helps with joint movement. People with osteoarthritis of the knee tend to have lower levels of this natural lubricant at the joint, causing compromised motion, pain, and stiffness.
The viscosupplement replaces the natural hyaluronic acid to make movement more comfortable. In some cases, viscosupplementation may slow the further progression of osteoarthritis.
Dennis Slavin, MD, and his Rio Grande Pain Team put together a treatment plan appropriate for you. After we’ve assessed your pain level and knee dysfunction, we may recommend anti-inflammatory drugs and physical therapy. If these fail to work, viscosupplements may be the next step — before sending you to surgery.
Viscosupplements tend to be most effective for people with mild to moderate osteoarthritis. Your cartilage hasn’t degenerated to the point where you have bone rubbing against bone.
Viscosupplements are also particularly helpful if your arthritis flares up in response to activity or an injury but isn’t a chronic condition you’ve experienced for years. When the pain management team believes a total knee replacement is the only way for you to experience relief, it may be too late for viscosupplements to work.
Several brands of viscosupplements are available, and we carefully consider your goals when prescribing each injection. For most people receiving viscosupplementation at the offices of Rio Grande Pain Team, the injections offer relief for nine to 12 months.
Patients who get the best results from the injections also undergo physical therapy that includes gentle, progressive knee exercises. These exercises help build strength in the muscles around the joint to further improve function and reduce pain.
The risks associated with viscosupplementation treatment are very minimal. During the injection, you might experience some discomfort. You may have some swelling or redness at the point of injection too. The risk of infection is very low — fewer than one in 1,000 patients experiences this complication.
If you have mild to moderate knee pain due to osteoporosis, consider viscosupplementation as a possible way to reduce pain and improve your mobility. Dr. Slavin and his professional staff at Rio Grande Pain Team can help you determine if you’re a good candidate for this minimally invasive intervention. Call for an appointment at one of our two locations or book online through this website.
You Might Also Enjoy...
BOTOX works by blocking the pain signals that trigger migraines, so you can prevent headaches from occurring. Plus, treatment can be repeated to help keep those painful symptoms at bay without relying on pain medications.
Chronic back pain can put a damper on your ability to enjoy life. If rest, physical therapy, or surgery haven’t worked, there’s still hope. Radiofrequency neurotomy may be able to give you the pain relief you need.
Is back pain affecting your daily life? Have months passed with no sign of improvement? If so, you may be among the 10% whose discomfort has become chronic. Spinal cord stimulation might be the answer.