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Viscosupplementation Treatment Specialist in Plano, TX

Viscosupplementation Treatment Specialist in Plano, TX

Viscosupplementation is most frequently used to treat osteoarthritis, but studies have shown that it can also help those with rheumatoid arthritis. Viscosupplementation is a treatment where a viscosity-increasing substance, such as hyaluronic acid (HA) solution, is injected into the joint area to increase the lubrication of the joint and, as a result, alleviate pain and inflammation. Discover the benefits of viscosupplementation and how it can help you at Northstar Joint and Spine and how Dr. Robert Nocerini MD can help. Contact us today for more information or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 7704 San Jacinto Pl Suite #200 Plano, TX 75024.

Viscosupplementation Treatment Specialist Near Me in Plano, TX
Viscosupplementation Treatment Specialist Near Me in Plano, TX

Table of Contents:

What is viscosupplementation treatment for arthritis?
Are viscosupplementation injections safe?
What are the benefits of viscosupplementation?
How long does it take to see results with viscosupplementation?
Who is a candidate for viscosupplementation?

Viscosupplementation is a procedure in which a viscosity-increasing agent, such as hyaluronic acid (HA) solution, is injected into the joint space to increase the lubrication of the joint and, subsequently, reduce pain and inflammation. Viscosupplementation is most commonly used for the management of osteoarthritis but has also been shown to be beneficial for patients with rheumatoid arthritis. The effectiveness of viscosity-increasing agents such as HA is based on their ability to increase the viscosity of the synovial fluid, which in turn decreases the shear forces on joint surfaces and diminishes pain.

What is viscosupplementation treatment for arthritis?

Viscosupplementation can be an effective treatment for arthritis. It aims to increase joint lubrication with a substance called hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in the synovial fluid of joints. Hyaluronic acid can be effective at treating arthritis as it lubricates the joint for smooth movement. Viscosupplementation, which is short for viscous supplementation, with hyaluronic acid can reduce knee pain by restoring some of the smooth motion in the joint.

During viscosupplementation treatment for arthritis, hyaluronic acid is injected into the painful joint. This thick fluid may help reduce pain and swelling in an arthritic joint as it lubricates the joint and reduces friction. Knee joints have a cap of cartilage on the ends of the bones to facilitate smooth and fluid motion. The knee joint lining, or synovium, produces hyaluronic acid, which, in addition to lubricating the joint, also acts as a shock absorber. In osteoarthritis, the cartilage cap breaks down, causing the bones of the joint to scrape together abnormally. This can lead to pain, stiffness, swelling, inflammation, and potentially other symptoms that can affect the quality of life. People with osteoarthritis generally have less hyaluronic acid in their joints than what is found in a healthy joint, so augmenting their natural hyaluronic acid levels with viscosupplementation can improve arthritic symptoms.

Are viscosupplementation injections safe?

Yes, viscosupplementation injections are safe. While the vast majority of people do not experience any problems from viscosupplementation, a small percentage of people may encounter complications. The most common complication that one might encounter from a viscosupplementation injection is a flare-up of arthritis symptoms just after the injection. This might cause additional pain and swelling in the short term and should clear up within a few hours, or sometimes a couple of days. Less common risks include:

• Bleeding
• Allergic reaction
• Pain at the injection site
• Infection

There is also a chance that the viscosupplementation injections will not effectively reduce symptoms or provide an adequate amount of relief.

What are the benefits of viscosupplementation?

The benefits of viscosupplementation are:

• Minimally invasive procedure
• Restores natural hyaluronic acid levels in joints
• Can significantly reduce knee or joint pain
• Improves mobility and range of motion
• Reduces swelling and discomfort in affected joints
• Improves daily lifestyle

How long does it take to see results with viscosupplementation?

The time it takes to see results from viscosupplementation varies from one person to the next and depends on several factors, including the type of pain, its severity, its underlying cause, the overall health of the patient, and if any preexisting illnesses are present that might interfere with the treatment.

Most patients see results within eight weeks and notice a change in the level of pain in the treated joint. Viscosupplementation can relieve pain for up to six months and may require follow-up injections at a later date.

Who is a candidate for viscosupplementation?

Candidates for viscosupplementation include people who:

• Have tried other treatments without success
• Have significant arthritis symptoms
• Have mild or moderate arthritis
• Want to avoid surgery

Call us today to book an appointment with our viscosupplementation treatment specialist, or visit our clinic conveniently located in Plano, TX. We look forward to serving you! We serve patients from Plano TX, McKinney TX, Richardson TX, Frisco TX, Allen TX, Addison TX, Carrollton TX, and BEYOND!