Viscosupplementation Hollywood
Pain Relief for Aching Knees
Knee osteoarthritis affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, making it a common cause of pain that can significantly impact mobility and overall quality of life. If you are living with this condition, you likely understand how daily activities can become increasingly challenging. At the Institute for Non-Surgical Orthopedics in Hollywood, FL, we want to help! After evaluating your case, we might determine that you are a candidate for viscosupplementation, an effective pain management technique. Contact us today to learn more or request a consultation.
Why Choose the Institute for Non-Surgical Orthopedics for Viscosupplementation?
- Precise, Ultrasound-Guided Injections
- Highly Skilled Orthopedic Team
- Conservative, Minimally Invasive Treatment
What Is Viscosupplementation?
Although “viscosupplementation” might sound like a complex idea, the concept is straightforward. This treatment involves injecting a thick, gel-like substance directly into a joint affected by arthritis — most commonly the knee. (Currently, the FDA has approved viscosupplementation primarily for knee osteoarthritis, but ongoing research suggests it could be beneficial for other joints.)
The injected gel is designed to mimic the properties of your natural joint fluid, which helps cushion and lubricate the joint. By supplementing the natural hyaluronic acid already found in your knee, this therapy can help minimize the pain and inflammation that result from the bone-on-bone friction typical in osteoarthritis. This reduction in discomfort can make it easier to move and participate in daily activities.
Patients often see improvement after completing a series of prescribed injections, with the number of treatments tailored to each individual. The relief provided by viscosupplementation can last anywhere from 6 to 18 months.
What Happens During Viscosupplementation Treatment?
The process of viscosupplementation is straightforward and designed with your comfort in mind. To begin, the skin over the joint where you will receive the injection is thoroughly cleaned to reduce the risk of infection. In many cases, a local anesthetic is applied to numb the area and ensure the procedure is as comfortable as possible. If there is excess fluid present around the joint, our team may gently remove some of it to provide the best conditions for the treatment.
Using advanced ultrasound technology, our Hollywood orthopedic team will carefully guide the needle to the optimal location within your joint, allowing for precise delivery of the gel. Once the gel has been administered, a small bandage is placed over the site to protect it. Then, you can go home.
To help contribute toward the best possible outcome, we may recommend limiting physical activities for at least 48 hours following your injection. Some patients may notice mild swelling or a temporary increase in arthritis symptoms in the days immediately after the procedure, which is a normal response. If you experience persistent or severe discomfort, though, please contact our team so we can assist you.
Keep in mind that it can take several weeks after your appointment before you experience significant pain relief and improved joint function.
Is Viscosupplementation Right for You?
Viscosupplementation is a great option for many people! It might be a good fit for you if:
- You have osteoarthritis in your knees.
- Over-the-counter pain medications and corticosteroids are unable to provide adequate pain relief.
- Your condition is mild to moderate.
- You want to delay or avoid more invasive procedures, such as knee surgery.
After taking a thorough medical history, our team will be able to determine if viscosupplementation is suitable for you. We might also suggest that you undergo other treatments to optimize your results.
Viscosupplementation FAQs
Is Viscosupplementation Only for Osteoarthritis?
At this time, the FDA has approved viscosupplementation as a way to address osteoarthritis in the knee joints; it has not received official approval for other uses. However, that does not mean it is without other applications. It may be very beneficial for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis or certain traumatic injuries.
Our Hollywood team offers a number of pain management techniques beyond viscosupplementation. If it turns out that this technique is not quite right for your situation, we can explore other means of helping you find relief.
Is Viscosupplementation Safe?
We take patient safety very seriously, and we would never recommend any treatments that pose unnecessary risks. Viscosupplementation is generally very safe. That is because it is minimally invasive, and we even use ultrasound guidance to make sure the injections go exactly where they are intended to go. Plus, the main ingredient in viscosupplementation is hyaluronic acid, a substance that is naturally found in the human body. Severe adverse reactions to it are exceedingly rare.
Due to the conservative nature of viscosupplementation, it is popular among people who are concerned about the potential risks of invasive joint surgery.
Of course, there is no such thing as a completely risk-free treatment. In rare cases, patients have had allergic reactions to some of the ingredients in viscosupplementation injections. Be sure to inform our team about any known allergies so we can accurately assess which treatments may be suitable for you.
How Many Times Can I Get Viscosupplementation?
There are no official limits on the number of times that you can receive viscosupplementation injections. Some patients visit us every 6 months or so in order to enjoy ongoing pain relief and increased knee mobility.
However, it is important to note that, over time, the effectiveness of this treatment might diminish. If that starts to happen to you, we can explore other pain relief options.
Is Viscosupplementation Painful?
We often use a local anesthetic so the viscosupplementation injections in our Hollywood office are as comfortable as possible. However, you may still notice a slight increase in discomfort and swelling during the initial 48 hours after your appointment. Be sure to get enough rest, and you can apply ice to minimize inflammation. If you have any questions or concerns about your post-treatment experience, we encourage you to contact us right away.
You may start to notice the benefits of the treatment after the first 48 hours, though it can take longer for some patients.
Does Insurance Cover Viscosupplementation?
If you wish to receive viscosupplementation for knee osteoarthritis, your health insurance plan might cover it. Coverage may be granted if the treatment is deemed medically necessary and reasonable for your situation.
Our team welcomes most insurance plans, and we will be happy to help you navigate your coverage. We can also assist you with the process of acquiring preauthorization for certain treatments if necessary.
