Does knee arthritis make it painful to walk, climb stairs, or enjoy your favorite activities? As cartilage wears down over time, your knee loses its natural cushioning and lubrication, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Viscosupplementation injections, also called gel injections or hyaluronic acid injections, can restore some of that lost lubrication and help you move more comfortably. This proven non-operative treatment has provided relief to millions of patients worldwide and may help you delay or avoid knee replacement surgery.
Dr. Cristobal Beiro is a board-certified orthopaedic surgeon who specializes in treating knee arthritis with both surgical and non-surgical approaches. His comprehensive knowledge ensures you receive the most appropriate treatment for your stage of arthritis and your individual needs.
Why Choose Cristobal Beiro, MD, for Viscosupplementation Injections in Avenel, NJ?
Dr. Beiro’s extensive training and experience in treating knee conditions make him uniquely qualified to help you find the right non-operative treatment solution. As a fellowship-trained sports medicine specialist and board-certified orthopaedic surgeon, he has the expertise to accurately diagnose your condition and recommend the most effective treatment approach. His years of experience treating professional athletes have also given him valuable insights into optimizing healing and function.
Recovery and Results
After your injection, you may be advised to avoid strenuous activities for a day or two. Some patients experience temporary swelling or discomfort at the injection site, but this usually resolves quickly. Applying ice and taking over-the-counter pain medication can help manage any post-injection discomfort.
Results vary by individual, but many patients begin to notice improvement within a few weeks. The pain relief from viscosupplementation can last anywhere from several months to over a year, depending on the severity of your arthritis and the specific product used. Many patients return for repeat treatments when their symptoms recur.
The Treatment Process and Schedule
Depending on the specific product used, viscosupplementation may be given as a single injection or as a series of injections over several weeks. Dr. Beiro will recommend the most appropriate schedule for your condition.
The injection itself takes just a few minutes and is performed in the office. Most patients tolerate the procedure well, though you may experience some mild discomfort during the injection.
Who Is a Candidate for Viscosupplementation Injections?
You may be a good candidate for viscosupplementation if you have symptomatic knee arthritis that interferes with your daily life. These injections are especially helpful for patients who haven’t found sufficient relief from conservative measures like oral anti-inflammatory medications or who can’t take those medications due to side effects.
During your consultation, Dr. Beiro will examine your knee, review any imaging studies, and discuss your symptoms and treatment goals. He’ll determine if viscosupplementation is appropriate for your specific situation and explain what you can expect from the treatment.
Conditions Treated with Viscosupplementation
Viscosupplementation injections are primarily used to treat knee osteoarthritis, particularly in patients with mild to moderate joint damage. You may benefit from this treatment if you have:
- Knee osteoarthritis that hasn’t responded adequately to oral medications or physical therapy
- Pain with weight-bearing activities like walking or standing
- Stiffness that limits your range of motion
- Desire to avoid or postpone knee replacement surgery
How Viscosupplementation Works
During the injection procedure, Dr. Beiro will first clean and prepare your knee. If you have excess fluid buildup (effusion), he may remove it before administering the viscosupplementation. The hyaluronic acid gel is then carefully injected into the joint space of your knee.
The treatment works in several ways to relieve your arthritis symptoms:
- Provides supplemental cushioning to reduce bone-on-bone friction
- Improves the lubricating properties of your joint fluid
- May have anti-inflammatory effects
- Potentially stimulates your body’s production of natural hyaluronic acid
- Protects remaining cartilage from further wear
What Are Viscosupplementation Injections?
Viscosupplementation injections are a non-operative knee treatment solution that supplements the natural synovial fluid in your knee joint. This fluid normally acts as a lubricant and shock absorber, but in arthritic knees, it becomes thin and less effective. The injections contain hyaluronic acid, a substance that naturally occurs in healthy joint fluid.
When injected into your knee, viscosupplementation helps restore the lubricating and cushioning properties of your joint fluid. This can reduce friction between bones, decrease pain, and improve your ability to move freely.
Find Relief from Knee Arthritis Pain
You don’t have to accept knee arthritis pain as a normal part of aging or wait until you need knee replacement surgery. Viscosupplementation injections offer an effective middle ground that can significantly improve your quality of life.
Dr. Beiro and his team are ready to help you explore this and other non-operative treatment options. Schedule your consultation in Avenel, NJ, today by calling (732) 283-2663.
