Hyaluronic acid injection treatments have been relieving pain for years. They are noninvasive and work quickly, helping you move throughout your day until you can find a more permanent solution to treat your condition. Let us explore this treatment option and determine whether you are an ideal candidate.
It is important for patients to know that hyaluronic acid injection treatments or hyaluronan treatments do not cure a condition; they only alleviate the accompanying symptoms of pain and limited mobility. They work by lubricating the joints, so they operate more smoothly. The American Federal Drug and Food Administration, or FDA, has approved these injections for the knee joints, but some patients ask for them to be placed in other joints as well.
The injections can comprise synovial fluid and hyaluronic acid or simply hyaluronic acid, both of which are found naturally in the body. Most patients receive one to five injections over the course of a few months. The appointments are relatively quick, as we will perform the hyaluronic acid injection treatment and may have the patient perform various mobility exercises to move the fluid around.
Our team uses hyaluronic acid injection treatments to address osteoarthritis (OA) symptoms, synovial fluid loss, and hyaluronic acid loss. Again, we must stress that these treatments do not cure a condition. They are only available to temporarily relieve its symptoms.
Per Medline Plus, synovial fluid, or joint fluid, is a thick liquid between each joint. When the normal amount dissipates, pain, limited mobility, and swelling can result. Hyaluronic acid is in various body parts, mainly the eyes, joints, and skin. Like synovial fluid, when the body naturally lacks this substance, it can lead to pain, inflammation, and mobility problems.
OA is a form of arthritis that affects millions of people worldwide, according to the Mayo Clinic. It results from the protective casing or cartilage surrounding the joints wearing down. It can affect any joint but is most prevalent in the hands, knees, hips, and spine. Patients with the condition will notice the following symptoms:
While hyaluronic acid injection treatments can alleviate much of the distress on the joints, they are not for everyone. Therefore, we require all patients to undergo our candidacy process, which involves one appointment, before approving them for these treatments.
The candidacy process involves a physical examination, imaging, and lab tests. The physical examination is simple enough. We will apply pressure to the problem joint and ask the patient to perform certain exercises or movements to determine its full ability without causing pain or discomfort. We will also note if swelling is present.
The imaging tests typically include an MRI or an X-ray; sometimes, both are necessary. An MRI, short for magnetic resonance imaging, uses radio waves and magnetic fields to create detailed images of the bones and soft tissues, including cartilage. While it is not used to diagnose OA, it will provide us with more information regarding the state of the patient's bones. X-rays are mainly employed to identify the presence of spurs. However, they can also identify a narrowed space between the bones of a joint, which may indicate cartilage loss.
Some patients may require lab tests to identify other causes of joint pain, including rheumatoid arthritis. Some blood test results may take up to a week to return. A joint fluid analysis is another possibility, especially if underlying medical conditions are not the cause. We may draw fluid from the affected joint using a needle and test for inflammation to determine the presence of synovial fluid, hyaluronic acid, or the presence of an infection.
Moreover, some patients will need to take pregnancy tests, as those who are pregnant may need alternative treatment. Patients over 65 years of age, children, those with a bacterial infection, and those with an allergy to hyaluronate may also need to consider alternative treatments.
Our team aims to help our patients get through life more easily until they can receive more permanent treatment. If any of the above symptoms resonate with you or you want to learn more about hyaluronic acid treatments, give us a call. Spine & Joint Regenerative Medicine can be reached at our Ooltewah office at (423) 424-1529.
Request an appointment here: https://sjrm-tn.com or call Spine & Joint Regenerative Medicine at (423) 424-1529 for an appointment in our Ooltewah office.v
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