ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT OF JOINT PAIN BY MD
81 Wilson St W, Suite 303
Ancaster, ON
Phone: (289) 239-8537
Fax: 1-866-920-2702
ANCASTER JOINT CLINIC
TM
Viscosupplements injections
Overview
Viscosupplement injection is safe, effective and well-established treatment in osteoarthritis. In this procedure, a gel-like fluid called hyaluronic acid is injected into the knee or hip joint.
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance found in the synovial fluid surrounding healthy joints. It acts as a lubricant to enable bones to move smoothly over each other and as a shock absorber for joint loads. Adding additional hyaluronic acid to the arthritic joint greatly improves movement and reduces pain and inflammation.
When viscosupplements injections work, their effect typically lasts 6 to 12 months, and longer in some patients.
We use brands like Synvisc™ and NeoVisc™ to provide long-lasting pain and inflammation relief to knees and hips affected by arthritis
Benefits
Viscosupplement injections benefit patients with shoulder, knee and hip arthritis – from mild to severe.
It is a good treatment option for younger and active patients who have mild arthritis but experience pain or stiffness in their joints and can't continue active lifestyle. Use of hyaluronic acid in these cases can preserve cartilage and delay arthritis for many years.
Viscosupplement injections also used for patients with moderate or severe arthritis who experience daily pain, stiffness or other symptoms in joints; for patients who can't or not willing to take oral pain medications, and for those who are not a candidate for joint replacement surgery (because too young or too sick).
Other benefits:
~ Simple, quick, with no downtime
The procedure takes 10-15 minutes and daily routine can be resumed immediately after the injection
~ One injection
The single injection regimen reduces patient inconvenience
~ Non-surgical treatment
Viscosupplement injection is an office-based procedure that helps to avoid or delay the need for surgery
~ Drug-free and non-systemic
Using an injection avoids the adverse and undesirable effects of oral medications
Side-effects & precautions
Viscosupplements are considered as very safe treatment option.
Side effects are generally rare. Patients may have local reaction, such as pain, warmth, and slight swelling immediately after the shot. These symptoms do not last long and get better with ice pack application or over-the-counter Tylenol or Advil.
Rarely, patients may develop a local allergy-like reaction in the knee. In these cases, the knee may become full of fluid, red, warm, or painful. If this occurs, patients need to contact doctor immediately.
For the first 48 hours after the shot, you should avoid excessive weight bearing on the leg, such as standing for long periods, jogging or heavy lifting.
Cost
Cost of viscosupplement injections (Synvisc, Neovisc) is covered by most of private insurance or health benefits plans, or can be paid by patient directly as out-of-pocket medical expense.
Private insurance typically cover viscosupplements as “injections” or “devices”, not as medications. Your physician can provide you with pseudo DIN numbers for these injections to check coverage with your insurance company.
Our office purchases viscosupplements directly from the manufacturer and provides it to patients before procedure along with receipt and prescription, which can be later submitted to insurance company for reimbursement.
* Disclaimer:
Individual results may vary. Beneficial results of treatment are not guaranteed as every patient is different and treatment outcome depends on many factors including severity and duration of condition.