Hyaluronic Acid Therapy for the treatment of arthritis... Lubrication injection for the knee

What is arthritis?
Arthritis causes joint pain, stiffness and inflammation. There are more than 100 different types of arthritis. Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis. It occurs when the cartilage - the cushioning and supporting structure between the bones - wears out, causing the bones to rub against each other. Joints such as the knees, hips and spine are most often affected by osteoarthritis. According to the Arthritis Foundation, one in eight Americans between the ages of 18 and 79 -- nearly 16 million people -- suffer from osteoarthritis.

Treatments for osteoarthritis
There are many different types of treatments for arthritis pain. Your physician can work with you to help determine your best treatment options. Hyaluronic acid therapy is one treatment that is often helpful for many arthritis sufferers.

Hyaluronic Acid

What is Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid exists naturally in human joints. It is part of the lubricating fluid within the joints. People suffering from arthritis have lower levels of hyaluronic acid. Used most often to treat arthritis of the knee, hyaluronic acid injections into the joints may help relieve arthritis problems. Physicians administer these injections. The hyaluronic acid used to treat arthritis pain is derived from chickens. Products available for treatment include Synvisc and Hyalgan.

How hyaluronic acid therapy helps
Various studies have been conducted on hyaluronic acid therapy. Many of these studies have shown that this treatment reduces arthritis pain and may decrease the amount of anti-inflammatory medications that arthritis sufferers must take. Hyaluronic acid injections have been shown to:

Help lubricate the cartilage to improve movement of the knee.

Slow down deterioration of the cartilage.

Help distribute the weight load across the knee joint.

Enhance the shock absorption capabilities of the knee joint.

Possible side effects
Studies on hyaluronic acid therapy have shown that the two most prevalent side effects of this treatment are pain from the injection and persistent swelling at the injection site.

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