Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis (OA): What to Expect

Osteoarthritis, or wear-and-tear arthritis, can affect any joint, but it’s particularly typical in the knees. Unfortunately, without treatment, osteoarthritis can make simple activities, like walking up a flight of stairs, crippling.

At Palm Beach Pain Institute in Delray Beach, Florida, board-certified pain management physician Marcie Merson, MD, and our team treat osteoarthritis using an integrative and minimally invasive approach. Here, we explain hyaluronic acid injections, including how they work and how long they relieve pain.

Understanding hyaluronic acid (HA) injections

Hyaluronic acid (HA), a substance that occurs naturally in the human body, is a sugar molecule that helps the eyes, skin, and joints retain moisture. HA also acts as a lubricant and shock absorber, easing general wear and tear in the knees.

Unfortunately, HA production naturally declines with age. The less HA in your knees, the more likely you experience stiffness, swelling, and mobility problems. HA injections — or viscosupplementation — address these issues by restoring the amount of HA in your knees, which lubricates the joints, reduces swelling, and allows you to move more comfortably.

Am I a candidate for hyaluronic acid knee injections?

You may be a candidate for HA knee injections if you have osteoarthritis and your symptoms don’t improve with lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise, weight loss, and physical therapy. 

Tell your provider if you’ve been diagnosed with an underlying health problem, like high blood pressure or diabetes. These conditions won’t necessarily prevent you from getting HA injections, but they can increase your risk of complications. Likewise, tell your provider if you take any prescription medications or nutritional supplements.

What to expect with HA injections for knee osteoarthritis

If your provider determines you’re a candidate for HA injections, they clean and sterilize your kneecaps and apply a topical anesthetic to ensure your comfort.

After the anesthetic sets in, your provider fills a syringe with hyaluronic acid and uses ultrasound or X-ray imaging to guide the needle into the affected area of your knee joint. Your provider injects the hyaluronic acid once the needle is in place. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, they may inject several doses of HA.

Once your provider finishes administering the injections, they provide care instructions. You can return to work immediately after treatment, but avoid strenuous activities, like heavy lifting and contact sports, for at least 48 hours.

What is the timeframe for hyaluronic acid injections to work?

The time it takes for hyaluronic acid injections to work depends on the severity of your osteoarthritis symptoms. Most people notice a significant pain reduction within a few weeks of treatment, and the benefits typically last six months. 

If your symptoms subside, we recommend maintenance injections every six months. Maintenance injections prevent osteoarthritis-related pain and swelling from returning so you can stay mobile. 

We can help you manage osteoarthritis-related knee pain!

Osteoarthritis can be debilitating, but hyaluronic acid injections can relieve knee pain and improve your quality of life. To see if you’re a candidate,  call our office at 561-499-7020 or use the online booking tool to request an appointment with Dr. Merson today.