Viscosupplementation for OA

Background:

Osteoarthritis of the joints is common.
This can give rise to symptoms of pain, swelling and reduced range of movement.
Patients' symptoms can range from mild to severe.
One of the non-surgical options for treating this is known generally as Viscosupplementation injections.
This involves injecting a gel-like fluid known as Hyaluronic Acid (HA) into the affected joint.
The goal of this treatment is to reduce pain, inflammation and restore function of the affected joint.
HA is a naturally occurring substance found in the synovial fluid of joints.
It behaves as a lubricant to allow bones to articulate smoothly over each other and has a mild anti-inflammatory effect.
It is also a shock absorber for joints during loading and weight bearing.
People with OA have lower than normal concentrations of HA in their affected joints.
There are several commercial HA preparations available.
Most doctors will choose to use the preparation that they are most familiar with.
It is worth noting that viscosupplementation injections can also be used in other musculoskeletal conditions (e.g. tenosynovitis, bursitis)- its use is not just limited to OA.