Joint viscosupplementation is a quick and efficient outpatient procedure. Your doctor uses fluoroscopy (x-ray) technology to precisely guide the viscosupplementation injection into the affected joint space.
Joint Viscosupplementation
Viscosupplementation reduces wear-and-tear friction and pain by injecting hylauronic acid into the joint.
What is Joint Viscosupplementation?
Viscosupplementation is a treatment that injects hyaluronic acid into degenerative joints. The gel-like consistency of hyaluronic acid acts as a lubricant for joints, reducing friction as joints move against one another.
Common Conditions
- Knee pain
- Hip pain
- Shoulder pain
- Osteoarthritis
Find out if joint viscosupplementation is right for you.
What are the Benefits?
The hyaluronic acid acts as a joint lubricant and a shock absorbent, reducing friction pain from impact.
Joint viscosupplementation may help to improve overall joint function, making it easier to carry out every day tasks without the burden of pain.
Relief from the hyaluronic injection may reduce daily dependence on over-the-counter or prescribed medications.
Find out if joint viscosupplementation is right for you.
How Does Joint Viscosupplementation Work?
Our joints naturally contain Synovial fluid that acts as padding and protects against cartilage breakdown. Degenerative conditions like osteoarthritis or inflammation from injury may decrease the volume of Synovial fluid, exposing the joints to more wear and tear with every movement.
Viscosupplementation procedures reinforce coating around the joints to decrease the impact and friction (and pain) caused by movement.
Depending on the type of hyaluronic acid recommended for your pain condition, you may require anywhere from 1-5 injections for a complete round treatment.
What to Expect
During Treatment
After Treatment
You may experience some soreness, warmth or swelling around the injection site up to 48 hours following your procedure. Following the procedure your doctor may also discuss follow-up injections, if deemed necessary.
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Common Questions
Does the procedure hurt?
You may feel some mild discomfort from the injection.
Are there any risks associated with joint viscosupplementation?
Side effects are rare. But some patients do experience swelling and allergic reactions around the injection site.
How long does relief from a viscosupplementation procedure last?
The duration of the viscosupplementation’s pain-relieving effects vary depending on the individual. Some patients experience pain relief for several months.
How long will it take to feel relief from the injection?
You may experience some relief immediately following your procedure, but it could take up to two weeks to feel the full effects.