Knee Joint Hyaluronic Acid (Gel) Injection
(Viscosupplementation for Chronic Knee Arthritis)
Overview
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural substance found in joint fluid that cushions and lubricates the knee. In patients with osteoarthritis, this substance breaks down, causing pain and stiffness. A gel injection, or viscosupplementation, restores this fluid, helping reduce friction and improve joint function.
Restore Spine and Pain offers ultrasound-guided or fluoroscopic-guided knee gel injections to ensure precision and comfort.
Conditions Treated
- Mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis
- Chronic joint stiffness
- Patients who do not respond to steroid injections or want to avoid steroids
What are the risks and side effects?
Risks and side effects are minimal, and serious complications are rare. We take every precaution to ensure your safety. Potential risks may include but are not limited to:
- Temporary increase in pain
- Infection or bleeding (rare)
- Vasovagal response (fainting)
- Allergic reaction
- Elevated blood sugar in diabetic patients
Ask your provider if you have any concerns. Your physician will review the risks in detail before the procedure to ensure you are fully informed.
Pre-Procedure Information
How Should I Prepare?
- Driver Required: We ask that you arrange for a driver to take you home after the procedure.
- Food: You may eat a light meal 1–2 hours prior to the procedure. If sedation is planned, please follow the specific sedation protocol provided by our team.
Medications:
- Continue routine medications unless directed otherwise.
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Blood thinners, Aspirin, NSAIDs, and supplements:
- Inform us in advance if you take blood thinners (e.g., Plavix, Eliquis, Xarelto, Coumadin), NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen), Aspirin, or supplements that increase bleeding risk.
- Certain medications may need to be stopped for a short period of time before the injection.
- Speak with your prescribing provider to ensure it’s safe to temporarily stop these medications.
- Our team will review your medication list and coordinate with your other providers if needed.
Notify us if:
- You have a fever, infection, or are feeling unwell.
- You have started antibiotics or had changes to your medications.
What if I am pregnant?
There are serious potential risks to an unborn fetus from imaging used during this procedure (e.g., X-ray/fluoroscopy). If there is any chance you may be pregnant, please notify our team immediately and postpone the injection until pregnancy is ruled out.
Procedure Information
The procedure is performed using sterile technique with image guidance.
What to Expect:
1. Preparation:
- You will be positioned accordingly.
- The skin will be cleaned and numbed with a local anesthetic
Injection Process:
- A needle is guided into the joint space, oftentimes with image guidance including fluoroscopy or ultrasound guidance.
- Contrast dye may be used to confirm positioning.
- The specialized hyaluronic acid is injected into the targeted region.
Monitoring:
- You will be monitored during the procedure to ensure comfort and safety
- Most procedures last 15–30 minutes, followed by a brief recovery period on-site.
Post-Procedure Information
What to Expect After the Procedure
- Relief Timeline:: Steroids typically begin to work within 2 to 5 days, but in some cases may take up to 2 weeks.
- Activity: You may resume light activities the next day; avoid strenuous activity for 24 hours. We recommend you return to work the following day.
- Soreness:Temporary soreness at the injection site is common.
- Pain tracking: Keep a log of symptoms over the next 1–2 weeks
If successful, additional injections may be spaced out over time—typically no more than 3–4 per year in the same region.
Additional Instructions:
- Contact the office for any signs of infection, fever, or worsening pain.
- Attend follow-up as scheduled.
Schedule a Consultation
If you suffer from chronic knee arthritis and are looking for a non-surgical alternative to manage pain, viscosupplementation may be a suitable option. Contact Restore Spine and Pain to find out if gel injections are right for you.