Chronic knee pain can make everyday tasks a chore and favorite activities like biking or dancing a thing of the past. If you are healing from an injury or your knee pain is caused by osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease, it will require more than rest and icing to remedy.
At Central Florida Pain and Rehab Clinic in Winter Park, FL, we offer viscosupplementation as an option for relief from knee arthritis. This treatment helps lubricate the joints to increase mobility and decrease pain.
What is knee arthritis?
Knee arthritis occurs when the cartilage wears away and the synovial fluid in the joint does not provide enough cushioning to reduce friction. As a result, you may experience stiffness, limited range of motion, and inflammation.
How does viscosupplementation work?
For this procedure, hyaluronic acid is injected into the joint to provide lubrication and reduce discomfort and swelling. A series of shots over the course of several weeks may be required. If effective, the treatment will likely need to be repeated every six months.
Am I a candidate for viscosupplementation?
Your doctor will likely advise over-the-counter pain relievers, physical therapy, changing your exercise routine, cortisone (steroid) injections, or weight management before suggesting hyaluronic injections. Viscosupplementation is not effective for everyone and it may take several weeks to experience any results. Individuals with mild to moderate joint degeneration are more likely to benefit.
Are there side effects to the treatment?
You may feel a warm or mildly painful sensation, or have redness, swelling, or bruising at the injection site. These effects should last only briefly. Avoiding strenuous activity for 48 hours post-injection is advised.
While viscosupplementation is not a cure for knee osteoarthritis, it may be a viable option for you, especially if other treatments have failed. Call Central Florida Pain and Rehab Clinic in Winter Park, FL, at (407) 673-9533 to learn about the ways we can help you find relief from joint pain.