The ends of your joint bones are usually covered with cartilage caps to ensure they slide against each other smoothly when you move. These cartilage caps contain hyaluronic acid, which performs shock-absorbing and lubrication functions in your joint. When you have osteoarthritis – arthritis caused by wear and tear – the cartilage caps in your joints break down, and your hyaluronic acid levels drop. This causes your bones to scrape against each other abnormally, resulting in arthritis symptoms like swelling, stiffness, and pain. In such cases, a Naples viscosupplementation provider can perform viscosupplementation. This treatment aims to relieve arthritis symptoms by replacing lost hyaluronic acid in your joints. Here is a look at how it works.

Preparing for Viscosupplementation

Before you get viscosupplementation, you will meet with your provider to discuss whether you are an ideal candidate for the procedure. You and your doctor will review your medical history, symptoms, allergies, current medications, and more. If you qualify for the treatment, your doctor may recommend that you avoid certain medications. You can usually maintain your normal meal schedule. Consider wearing loose clothing for the procedure to allow easy access to your joint.

Anesthesia Administration

On the treatment day, your doctor or a technician will start by cleaning the injection site. They will then inject a local anesthetic into the surrounding area to eliminate any discomfort or pain caused by the procedure. In some cases, the technician may apply an anesthetic spray instead. They will then allow a few minutes for the anesthetic to kick in, so you are sufficiently numb.

Injection

Your provider will then administer the injection. They may use imaging during this session to ensure precision. If you have swelling in the joint due to fluid retention, your doctor will first use a syringe to excess the fluid from the area. They will then inject hyaluronic acid into the area and apply a small bandage and pressure to the injection site to staunch bleeding.

Post Procedure

Viscosupplementation is a fairly straightforward procedure, and you should be able to go home shortly after the injection. Your doctor will have told you if you can drive home or if you should plan for someone to drive you after the treatment. Either way, try to avoid lifting heavy weights, jogging, walking too much, and standing for too long for the next 48 hours. Make sure to take all your medications and follow all aftercare instructions. You may experience some swelling, warmth, and pain in the injection area, but these symptoms should subside after a while. If they do not, contact your doctor. 

Subsequent Appointments

While often effective, viscosupplementation will not provide immediate symptom relief. It may be weeks before you notice an improvement in your condition. However, once the effects kick in, they should last several months. You may also need to receive more shots spread out over several weeks. If you and your doctor make future appointments, make sure to keep them for maximum benefits.

Are You an Ideal Candidate for Viscosupplementation?

Arthritis-caused joint pain often worsens over time until it becomes unbearable. Before you reach this point, it is advisable to discuss treatments like viscosupplementation with your doctor. Healthcare providers recommend this approach for arthritis symptoms that no longer respond to other treatments and in mild to moderate cases of hip or knee arthritis. To find out if viscosupplementation can relieve your pain, contact a pain management specialist today.