Knee Gel Injections: Cost, Types, Uses, Benefits, Side-Effects 

Hyaluronic acid injections may be an option if you suffer from osteoarthritis in your knee. These are also referred to as injections of hyaluronan. Hyaluronan or gel injection for the knee maintains joint motion and lessens discomfort, particularly after other failed therapies. The synovial fluid inside many of your body's joints contains hyaluronic acid naturally. Synovial fluid acts as a lubricant in a healthy joint, allowing the cartilage that covers the ends of the bones to slide against one another. This maintains your joints flexible and healthy. In this article, we will look into how the knee gel injection works, its benefits, side effects, uses, and cost, so continue reading to know more.

What are Knee gel injections (Viscosupplementation)?

Gel injections for the knee, also known as HA (Hyaluronic acid) injections, work as a lubricant and shock absorber to help lessen discomfort and inflammation in the knee joint. Hyaluronic acid, commonly known as synovial fluid, occurs naturally in the body's joints.  But as time passes, this fluid either becomes less dense, wears away, or becomes scarce, causing the bones to grind against one another and produce discomfort. Injections of HA are intended to lessen knee discomfort while enhancing joint mobility, which facilitates daily activity. After contacting their doctor, those who have tried alternative nonsurgical treatments for knee discomfort with limited success could choose gel injections. The best part about HA injections is that since they are made of a substance comparable to natural joint fluid, they quickly adapt to the body. Depending on the disease being treated, it is often injected into the deep tissues of the knee.

What are the different types of knee gel injections?

Following are the different types of gel injection for the knee, that includes: 

1. Hyaluronic Acid Injection

Hyaluronic acid (HA) injections are another name for these kinds of injections. The joint fluid naturally contains a chemical called hyaluronic acid. It helps the bones move easily past one another by serving as a shock absorber between bone surfaces. The amount and quality of hyaluronic acid in the joint fluid decrease in knee OA. A doctor could suggest injecting hyaluronic acid directly into the joint to augment the naturally produced HA in the knee joint. This could ease discomfort and increase movement.

2. Orthovisc Gel Injection

Patients with osteoarthritis who have knee discomfort might use this medicine to relieve their symptoms. It is typically used for individuals who have not reacted to conventional therapies such as paracetamol, physical therapy, or exercise.  A chemical naturally occurring in joints is comparable to hyaluronate or hyaluronan. It could reduce discomfort by serving as a lubricant and shock absorber in the joint, allowing the knee to move more easily. Also Read: Synovitis Knee: Inflammation of the Synovial Membrane`

3. Euflexxa

An injectable drug called Euflexxa relieves osteoarthritis patients' knee discomfort. The essential component of the synovial fluid that naturally occurs in the joint area, hyaluronan, is present in Euflexxa in a synthetic form.  As osteoarthritis's inflammatory stress takes a toll on the fluid, it becomes thinner and less effective in lubricating and protecting the knee joint. The viscosity and shock-absorbing capabilities of the synovial fluid can be restored by injecting Euflexxa into the region, relieving joint pain and stiffness. Indeed, there is proof that it may boost the body's normal synthesis of hyaluronan, also known as hyaluronic acid or sodium hyaluronate, protecting the remaining joint.

How Do Knee Pain Gel Injections Work?

There are several distinct reasons why knee discomfort occurs, and each may have a somewhat different effect on how these gel injections work. However, Research indicates that HA injections for knee pain could be used in several ways to offer comfort and improve joint mobility. Hyaluronic acid injections, for instance, may lessen joint friction or inflammation and delay bone and cartilage deterioration. Additionally, by increasing the viscosity of the synovial fluid, knee injections assist in maintaining the water content of the joints. The knees may move more easily and with less effort because of the fluid that cushions the ends of their bones.

What are the uses of knee gel injection?

• Arthritis can be treated with knee gel injections. However, These gel injections for the knee are often only administered after trying other failed therapies.
• NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) propagates knowledge on managing various illnesses in the UK. Hyaluronan injections are not advised at this time for osteoarthritis.
• Hyaluronan injections, according to NICE, may lessen discomfort over six months. However, the knee irritation brought on by the injections can be temporary.

How much does the injection cost?

The location of the injection, the type of injection utilized, and the provider's costs are just a few of the variables that might affect the price of a gel knee injection. Knee gel treatments often cost $500 to $1,300 per injection. Some patients could need several injections spaced out over time, raising the overall cost of care.

What are the benefits of knee gel injection?

Studies reveal that Intra-articular HA injections exhibit a modest effect on pain relief and functional improvement in early to moderate knee OA, with the peak effect observed at approximately 6-8 weeks following administration.

• The bone and cartilage of the knee have been shown to benefit in several ways from HA. It lessens the creation of inflammatory cytokines, raising the possibility of osteoporosis and other degenerative disorders.
• Along with reducing pain and inflammation, hyaluronic acid can also trigger growth factors that boost the tissue's supply of collagen and proteoglycans. Better joint structural integrity results from this. When administered correctly, the gel can stay in place for a few days while the patient may have improvements that last for several months.

1. Helps in the body's own HA production-

While these injections effectively restore hyaluronic acid in both amount and quality, they can also encourage the body to manufacture HA independently. Consequently, the patient will require fewer injections, and the pain relief will stay longer. 

2. Strengthen the Bone-

Hyaluronic acid also changes the thickness of the subchondral bone in the knee while strengthening it. These bone structure alterations lessen the stress placed on the cartilage when the joint supports the body's weight.

3. Increases cartilage health-

The cartilage that reduces friction inside the knee joint might deteriorate over time or due to several diseases, including osteoarthritis. The gel injections also result in the production of vital proteins and carbohydrates for the health of the cartilage.

4. Keep the cartilage healthy- 

When administered as directed, hyaluronic acid injections can encourage the formation of cartilage-producing cells in the body. Additionally, these injections guard against the deterioration or aging of the already-existing cartilage cells. By slowing the course of knee osteoarthritis, gel injections can lessen discomfort and delay the dangers of complete knee replacement surgery. 

What are the side effects of knee gel injection?

Injections of hyaluronan have extremely few adverse effects. After the injection, some individuals may have pain, stiffness, swelling, muscle pain, irritation, or edema in their joints. The most frequent side effects are localized joint swelling and stiffness soon after the injection.  Gel injections can, in rare circumstances, cause a pseudo-septic inflammatory reaction, which can cause signs such as fever and low blood pressure. If ignored, this can result in significant joint pain and inflammation that persists long after the first injections. Book an Online Appointment at the Best Viscosupplementation With Hyaluronate Hospitals in India

Conclusion-

Knee gel injections are a viable medical alternative for those with knee osteoarthritis. Even though it may have several advantages, depending on your situation. However, the price of the injections may be an issue. To ensure you get the treatment you need, talk about your choices with your doctor and Medicare if you're considering getting knee gel injections.