Viscosupplementation – Delray Beach, FL
Pain Relief for Aching Knees
It is estimated that hundreds of millions of people around the world suffer from knee osteoarthritis. If you are among them, you may be all too familiar with how your condition can affect your mobility and daily quality of life. Here at the Institute for Non-Surgical Orthopedics in Delray Beach, we are eager to help. That is why we offer a number of treatments that may produce pain relief, including viscosupplementation. Continue reading below to learn more about this service, and then call our team when you are ready to request a consultation.
Why Choose the Institute for Non-Surgical Orthopedics for Viscosupplementation?
- Precise, Ultrasound-Guided Injections
- Highly Skilled Orthopedic Team
- Conservative, Minimally Invasive Treatment
What Is Viscosupplementation?
Viscosupplementation is a big word, but its basic meaning is quite simple. It describes a treatment wherein we inject a viscous, gel-like material into an arthritic joint (at this point, the FDA has only approved viscosupplementation as a treatment for knee osteoarthritis). The gel imitates the function of natural joint fluid, which means it can reduce the pain and irritation of the bone-on-bone contact that often occurs with osteoarthritis. The substance we inject contains hyaluronic acid, which is naturally present in knee joints.
Many patients notice results after a series of prescribed injections. The duration of the results can vary, but it is common for people to experience 6 – 18 months of pain relief.
What Happens During Viscosupplementation Treatment?
The viscosupplementation process is fairly simple. First, we clean the area where you will receive the injection. We may also administer a local anesthetic to make sure you are comfortable. If you have extra fluid around your joint, we might have to remove a bit of it. Then, with the help of ultrasound guidance, we inject the gel into precisely the right spot. To finish up, we place a small bandage on the injection site.
You will be able to go home shortly after your injections. However, we may advise you to limit your physical activity for at least 48 hours. For example, you may need to avoid standing for long periods, excessive walking, heavy lifting, and jogging/running. You might experience some mild swelling or a flare-up of your arthritis in the days immediately after your treatment. If these issues become severe or last for a long time, call our team for assistance.
It might be a few weeks after your appointment before you notice significant pain relief.
Is Viscosupplementation Right for You?
Viscosupplementation is safe and suitable for many people. It might be right for you if:
- You have osteoarthritis in your knees.
- Over-the-counter pain medications and corticosteroids are no longer providing adequate pain relief.
- Your condition is mild to moderate.
- You wish to delay surgery for your arthritic knees.
After a thorough medical history, our team can determine if viscosupplementation is right for you. We might also suggest other treatments to work alongside your viscosupplementation to provide the highest level of pain relief possible.
Viscosupplementation FAQs
Viscosupplementation can be an effective method for relieving the pain of arthritic knee joints. If you are thinking about undergoing this treatment, you might have questions about it and what you can expect from it. Below, you will find answers to some relevant FAQs. If your questions are not included here, call our office so we can personally assist you. We look forward to speaking with you!
Is Viscosupplementation Only for Osteoarthritis?
At the moment, the FDA has only approved viscosupplementation as a treatment for osteoarthritis in the knee joints. However, it may also be useful in certain other situations, such as for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis or traumatic injuries.
Our team offers a range of musculoskeletal treatments that are able to address many different conditions. After a thorough examination, we can recommend a treatment plan that is tailored to your unique needs, whether that involves viscosupplementation or other pain relief measures.
Is Viscosupplementation Safe?
Viscosupplementation is a very low-risk treatment. It is minimally invasive, and we use ultrasound guidance to make sure the injections go exactly where they should. Plus, its primary ingredient is hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in the human body. Severe adverse reactions to this treatment are incredibly rare. Due to its conservative and safe nature, it is popular among individuals who are worried about the potential risks of undergoing joint surgery.
In rare cases, patients have had an allergic reaction to some of the ingredients in viscosupplementation injections. If you have any known allergies, it is important that you disclose them to our team.
How Many Times Can I Get Viscosupplementation?
There is no limit to the number of times you can undergo viscosupplementation treatment. Some patients choose to return every 6 months or so in order to enjoy continuous pain relief and increased knee mobility.
However, it is worth noting that over time, the effectiveness of viscosupplementation may start to decrease. If that happens to you, it may be time to start exploring other treatment possibilities.
Is Viscosupplementation Painful?
We usually use local anesthetic so the injections are as comfortable as possible. However, you may experience some increased discomfort and swelling during the first 48 hours after your appointment. Rest, ice, and other measures can help to minimize this issue. Of course, if you are concerned about the aftereffects of your treatment, you are always welcome to call us.
Some patients start to notice pain relief after the initial 48-hour period, whereas others experience pain relief after a few weeks.
Does Insurance Cover Viscosupplementation?
Some health insurance plans cover viscosupplementation for knee osteoarthritis if the injections are considered medically reasonable and necessary.
Our team accepts most medical insurance policies, and we can assist you as you navigate your coverage. We can also help you acquire preauthorization for treatments if necessary.
