All You Want To Know About Use Of Viscosupplementation

By Author: Brad Drowne
Total Articles: 26
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Viscosupplementation along with some hyaluronic acid products like Synvisc and Orthovisc has the potential to restore the damaged synovial fluid present in joints. It can significantly perk up the lubricating effects of synovial fluid. This is the reason that it is widely used for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee. It not only reduces the knee pain induced by osteoarthritis, but also promotes mobility and more activity. This treatment is can be injected in either in both knees or in one knee joint, depending on the requirement. Viscosupplementation is sometimes also referred as synovial fluid replacement.

The joint fluid of humans is composed of a substance known as hyaluronic acid. It is extremely viscous because of which the cartilage surfaces of the bones are able to slide upon each other effortlessly. However, if a person suffers from osteoarthritis the level of hyaluronic acid inside the joint fluid decreases. This causes the synovial fluid of the joint to become less viscous, reducing the ability of joint to grease itself. If the synovial fluid lacks the cushioning and lubricating effect of hyaluronic ...
... acid then there will be a painful abrasion of cartilage in the joints. Over a period of time the bones within the joint will commence to rub together. This is when viscosupplementation is needed in patients.

In order to avail this treatment you will be first examined by a medical specialist, usually a Rheumatologist or an orthopaedic surgeon so that they can find out whether this treatment is right for you. Since this treatment is available in an injectable form, the process involves injecting viscosupplement liquid into the knee. It should be done by a trained professional under doctor’s supervision. The process would not take more than five minutes. You can be considered an ideal candidate for viscosupplementation if you:

• Are allergic to anti-inflammatory medications like ibuprofen and aspirin
• Are already taking several pills
• Did not get sufficient pain relief from present treatment
• Are not a suitable candidate for knee surgery

It is important to bear in mind that this treatment will not cure osteoarthritis of the knee completely. It will only aid in boosting the lubricating characteristics of the synovial fluid, decreases the pain from knee osteoarthritis and allows an easy mobility. This injection is mostly required after every 6 months. Before starting the treatment, discuss with doctor if you are allergic to products from birds, sodium hyaluronate preparations or you have a skin disease at the site of injection application. The most commonly possible side effects of viscosupplementation injections are pain, inflammation, rash, itching or fluid accumulation at the site of application. The good news is that these side effects are usually mild and tend to pass away after few days. For more any kind of query of information, you should contact a physician in your vicinity.

About the author:

Brad Drowne is a reputed writer and writes regularly on medical issues such as viscosupplementation,prp injections,platelet rich plasma treatment and etc along with reputed medical professionals like Dr. Sampson. He regularly visits and collects informations regarding the updates of the medical science and allthose cutting edge technologies in this field.