Viscosupplementation Treatment for Knee Arthritis in Arlington, VA

Osteoarthritis of the knee is a painful condition that develops slowly and worsens over time. Although there is no cure, many people are able to stay active and manage their pain with traditional conservative treatments, such as weight loss, physical therapy, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroid injections. For persistent pain, another option is viscosupplementation.

What Is Viscosupplementation?

Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for knee arthritis treatment in 1997, viscosupplementation is a non-surgical treatment that involves injecting a gel-like fluid (hyaluronic acid) directly into an arthritic knee joint. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in the synovial fluid surrounding joints throughout the body.

An effective lubricant, hyaluronic acid serves as a shock absorber for joint loads and allows the bones to glide smoothly together during movement. Some people with osteoarthritis have a lower-than-normal concentration of hyaluronic acid in the affected joints. By adding hyaluronic acid to an arthritic knee, viscosupplementation can potentially ease movement and reduce pain. However, the results can vary and not all patients experience improvement. Furthermore, viscosupplementation cannot reverse the degenerative effects of arthritis or regrow damaged cartilage.

How Is Viscosupplementation Administered?

Viscosupplementation treatment for knee arthritis involves one to five injections administered over several weeks. If necessary, the physician will remove (aspirate) excess fluid from the knee before delivering the hyaluronic acid. It is advisable to avoid vigorous physical activities, such as jogging, during the first 48 hours after an injection. Some people experience slight swelling, mild pain and warmth, but these side effects typically go away within a few days.

It can take up to several weeks for any improvement to become noticeable. Some patients report experiencing pain-relieving effects for several months afterward. If viscosupplementation treatment is effective for knee arthritis, the injections may be repeated in approximately six months.

Learn More

If you would like to learn more about viscosupplementation treatment for knee arthritis, contact Nirschl Orthopaedic Center at (703) 525-2200 to schedule an appointment with a knee specialist in Arlington, VA.