Hyaluronic Acid Joint Injections for Osteoarthritis in Synovial Joints

Hyaluronic Joints Injections known also as a Visco supplementation it is now a frequently used method of treating degenerative changes as well as in post-traumatic joint diseases.

It is a procedure involving the injection of a hyaluronic acid solution into the joint, which in its natural form is a key component of the synovial fluid.

 

Synovial Joint is one in which ends of the bones are enclosed in a capsule containing thick, slippery liquid called synovial fluid. This capsule is made of strong, fibrous tissue and is lined with a membrane called the synovial membrane. The bone ends are covered in a smooth layer of a tough rubbery substance known as a cartilage.

Synovial Fluid function

• Protects the cartilage covering from wear and tear, by keeping the bones slightly apart
• It lubricates the joints, helping it to work freely and easily
• Works as a shock absorber, protecting the cartilage
• The fluid supplies oxygen and nutrients, removes carbon dioxide and metabolic wastes from the chondrocytes , cells found in healthy cartilage

The most important component of synovial fluid is a substance called hyaluronic acid, it lets synovial fluid perform different functions all at the same time. Most of the joints in human body are synovial joints, such as knee, hip, shoulder, ankle, the wrist etc.

The hyaluronic acid in synovial fluid does not stay there for a whole lifetime, is continuously broken down and replaced. Normally there is an exact balance between the breakdown of old hyaluronic acid and the production of new one. In osteoarthritis however this balance is disturbed, and breakdown happens more faster than production. In the result synovial fluid becomes waterier and stops working properly.

Due to the change in the synovial fluid the cartilage in the joint gradually wears away, in some places cartilage may eventually disappear altogether. Less of the synovial fluid and wear away of the cartilage lead to the symptoms of osteoarthritis, which include pain, swelling, stiffness, no flexibility movements, mobility problems.

Osteoarthritis develops as people get older, but the age it’s not the main factor. Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip may also occur younger people, by overloaded the joints. Possible causes of overloading include sport, physical job involves a lot of lifting and carrying, overweight, abnormal joint development.

Hyaluronic acid injected into the joint space, works by restoring the normal balance between the breakdown and production of hyaluronan. The main effect of the injection is decreasing the pain and stiffness, improve the other symptoms of osteoarthritis such as movement’s ability, swelling, besides significantly delays the osteoarthritis process.

 

The whole procedure is very safe, does not involve any hospitalisation, takes few minutes. The first effects may bee seen few days or few weeks after the injection. From Our Clinic experience, patients starts feeling different around 2-3 weeks after the session and the peak comes withing 12 weeks from the first injection. That’s mean the effects are progressive, because the solution need to be well absorbed and adapted by the body and starts fulfil its function.