Intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee

Osteoarthritis – disease that affects the joints, leading to pain and limited mobility. Treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee joint – an urgent problem of our time, since this disease is very common among the world's population. One of the ways to treat osteoarthritis of the knee joint is intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid. What are they, what is their mechanism of action, effectiveness and side effects – tell estet-portal.com.

Hyaluronic acid and knee osteoarthritis     

How is hyaluronic acid related to joint health? The fact is that hyaluronic acid – the main functional component of the synovial fluid, which makes it viscous. These properties of the synovial fluid are very important for the normal functioning of the joints. When osteoarthritis occurs, the cartilaginous tissue of the joint from the side of the bones is slowly destroyed, and the bone itself undergoes changes (osteophytes and pain appear), the properties of the synovial fluid also change. One of these changes is a decrease in the amount of hyaluronic acid (sometimes up to 75% or more). Since hyaluronic acid serves as a shock absorber and lubricant, it is not surprising that reducing its amount leads to disastrous consequences – feeling of friction, pain and discomfort.

Hyaluronic acid molecules attach to binding sites in joint cells. After that, HA starts a complex cascade of processes in cells. Hyaluronic acid inhibits certain enzymes that help break down the cartilage matrix in the joints, as well as interleukin-1b and prostaglandin E2, which cause inflammation in an osteoarthritis-affected joint. The anti-inflammatory mechanism of hyaluronic acid is not fully understood, but it differs from the mechanism of action of anti-inflammatory drugs. Hyaluronic acid molecules also interfere with some of the nerve impulses that carry pain signals from the joint to the brain. It is also important that hyaluronic acid molecules can stimulate the cells that line the joint capsule and cause them to produce even more hyaluronic acid,

Intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid for osteoarthritis of the knee

The procedure is extremely simple: the doctor injects hyaluronic acid directly into the area adjacent to the knee joint. As a rule, the procedure is carried out once a week for 3 – 5 weeks. The FDA has approved injections of hyaluronic acid only for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee, but some doctors practice this method of treating osteoarthritis in other joints.

Effectiveness of hyaluronic acid injections in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee

Hyaluronic acid injections for osteoarthritis of the knee do not help everyone. The more serious the disease and the older the patient, the less effective is this method of treating osteoarthritis of the knee.

Hyaluronic acid injections have minor side effects, such as swelling and discomfort at the injection site. This option is worth a try for those who are not helped by physical therapy, exercise and injections of painkillers and steroids, the only option of which is – operation. Also, injections of hyaluronic acid for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee can serve as an alternative for people with allergies to ibuprofen, aspirin and other drugs.