Knee Gel Injections in Dallas and Frisco, TX
Viscosupplementation, Hyaluronic Acid Injections, Knee Injections for Arthritis
Knee pain, arthritis pain, and osteoarthritis generally give most individuals a run for their money. Usually, this knee and arthritis pain causes many to reach for over-the-counter medication for help. However, when generic medications no longer ease your unbearable pain, a doctor may suggest knee gel injections as the best solution for your knee pain. Rest assured, if you are not yet among the average crowd suffering, or an older patient with arthritis symptoms in your knees and joints, your time will likely come.
When arthritis and knee pain strikes, and over-the-counter medication no longer provides relief, you will likely need some form of treatment to improve function and to help find relief; even if it’s just a conservative treatment plan. Speak with a qualified health care professional at SPORT Orthopedics + Physical Therapy in Frisco, TX and Dallas, TX. They are likely to find the best conservative treatments to ease or eliminate the pain in your knee.
For patients who present signs of advanced osteoarthritis, needing help to reduce inflammation and find relief for their pain, gel injections may be a recommended treatment once evaluated by your doctor. If you are looking to turn the tables on your knee pain, call a SPORT Orthopedics + Physical Therapy specialist. Our Dallas and Frisco orthopedic surgeons are driven to help you find relief for your arthritis and knee pain symptoms.
What Do Knee Gel Injections Do?
Individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee can endure intense pain, aggravating stiffness, and most significantly, a significant decline in one’s ability to get around easily. This knee-joint pain can also prevent you from enjoying your more physical, endurance-driven activities, like spending time with the kids. While many different treatments are available for individuals suffering from knee osteoarthritis and other arthritis pain surrounding your knee, the SPORT Orthopedics + Physical Therapy specialists want you to know that treatment options with pain relieving effects are available for you.
Hyaluronate injections are a highly valuable option for those needing immediate pain relief. Additionally, this injection helps eliminate referring pain symptoms. Typically, knee gel injection treatments offer several benefits as well as numerous treatment options. For instance, treatment options include steroid injections, physical therapy, dietary changes, and oral pain medications.
Hyaluronate injections, also called viscos-supplements, work by inserting natural gel into your knee joint. Similar to hyaluronic acid found in the synovial fluid, this knee gel injection helps by lubricating the areas surrounding your joints to provide smoother function of your joint movements. The hyaluronan within the gel injection acts as a shock absorber as it lubricates with joint fluid.
Although gel injections aren’t for everyone, the popular number of individuals who rave about how gel injections have improved their every-day quality of life is worth trying. Most patients wish they had given knee gel injections a try sooner! To better understand how to help your osteoarthritis knee pain, continue reading how a SPORT Orthopedics + Physical Therapy specialist can help eliminate your arthritis, or knee pain.
Fear of allergic reactions, or other concerns with the gel injection site can be discussed in the patient’s hyaluronic acid injection consultation.
Types of Injections for Knee Pain
The most common and effective types of injections for knee pain include, but are not limited to:
- Cortisone shots
- Gel shots or hyaluronic acid injections
- PRP injections
For more information regarding which of these injections is likely to bring you relief, call (469) 200-2832 to speak with a qualified health care professional in Frisco & Dallas Texas. A SPORT Orthopedics + Physical Therapy specialist is waiting to resolve your discomfort and help your advanced osteoarthritis pain.
Cortisone Shots
For individuals with joint pain, having a cortisone shot can feel like a complete lifesaver. This shot is popular among those who experience joint aches or pain caused by arthritis. Cortisone shots operate by helping reduce inflammation, which more often than not has been brought on by arthritis. Unfortunately, this short-term shock absorber only lasts for a few months to a few weeks depending on the frequency at which it is received.
Gel Shots or Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Hyaluronic acid injections are sometimes referred to as “gel shots.” Hyaluronic acid works like a barrier or divider for an individual’s joint. The lubrication helps for the smooth operation. Having smooth operation is helpful for reducing inflammation and for easing pain. Typically, the frequency of shots allowed is between 1 to 5 shots over several weeks.
PRP Injections
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a unique injection compounded by the patient’s own blood cells. Platelet-rich plasma produces a component of blood, containing healing elements for important growth. The process of this injection involves blood drawn from the patient. The sample is then placed into a blood-spinning machine and spun down to concentrate the platelets. After the spinning of the patient’s blood, to retrieve the concentrated platelets, the PRP is then administered back into the patient’s joint.
What Is the Injection Procedure Like?
Here’s the step-by-step procedure for hyaluronic acid injection of the knee.
The procedure for the injection of hyaluronic acid involves the following steps:
- Depending on the doctor’s preferred position for the injection, the patient will either lay on their back with the knees straight or will sit upright with their knees bent.
- The patient’s knee is then disinfected prior to insertion.
- After disinfectants have been applied, the doctor will likely request for you to relax your leg for the initial application of the local anesthetic.
- Should swelling occur, the doctor will first resolve your swelling prior to proceeding with your procedure. To do so, the doctor will perform a needle aspiration. This means that they will drain the pressure built up in the knee joint.
- The injection itself must be inserted directly into the knee joint. Failing to accurately place the injection material could reduce the effectiveness and safety of the procedure.
- When ready for insertion, the injection containing hyaluronic acid is delivered directly into the knee joint. Some doctors, for accuracy purposes, will use an ultrasound machine while administering the injection. The lubricant will be applied to the patient’s skin around the site of injection, and then, a tech or nursing assistant will press gently on the hand-held device to operate the ultrasound machine on the gel-covered skin. During this process, an image of the knee joint space is revealed on the screen for the doctor to see for improvement of accuracy of the gel injection.
- After insertion of the gel injection, the area will be cleaned and bandaged.
- After the cleaning from your procedure, the doctor will request your assistance in spreading the gel injection by bending the knee back and forth several times. This will help ensure even application occurs.
- Following your operation, you should rest for 12 -24 hours after the operation. Rest will help with reduced swelling and potential inflammation. Get plenty of rest, take short walks, and avoid strenuous activities and heavy lifting.
- Around 4 weeks post-injection, a patient is likely to notice a tremendous difference in their pain level and previous discomfort.
When Should You Consider Knee Joint Injections?
The conservative treatment route is normally the best treatment option for the initial stages, where symptoms of knee or joint pain are noticed, but not yet severe. Conservative treatments for knee or joint pain include:
- Rest
- Reducing or temporarily eliminating physical endurance
- Icing your muscles and joints
- Using a natural substance like OTC medication
However, when the above treatments fail to eliminate or reduce your pain, call a SPORT Orthopedics + Physical Therapy specialist for a consultation to discuss knee joint injections. Most patients find this is a great osteoarthritis knee pain relief and a way to avoid knee replacement surgery. However, it is important to note that gel injections are not a long-term solution. They are, however, a fast solution for pain that stems from knee osteoarthritis.
Side Effects of Knee Injections
While side effects of knee injections generally carry little to no risk, every treatment is likely to have some potential side effects or risks involved. The most common side effects associated with knee gel injections include a patient having a sore injection site and joint soreness.
On rare occasions, the patient’s allergies can cause issues related to the lubrication inside the injection. Should any type of injection cause an allergic reaction, seeking immediate help from any doctor, ER clinic, or calling 911, is best to ensure the patient’s health conditions are stabilized and monitored.
Also in very rare and unlikely cases, pseudo-septic arthritic reactions can occur. In the rare event that pseudo-septic arthritis does occur, the severe inflammatory reaction or flare is most common at the site of the injection. We’ll be able to provide you with on-site help, so you’re never at risk for further complications.
Knee Pain Relief Specialist in Dallas
SPORT Orthopedic Surgeons in Frisco, TX and Dallas, TX understand wanting to avoid knee replacement surgery. The thought of being out of work, moving funds around to make do, and other concerning reasons for avoiding any surgical route, when able, is completely understandable. Most individuals cannot afford to take time off work for multiple doctors visits; especially when in return they are only getting slight relief for a short period. If you have given up hope for your osteoarthritis knee pain, fear no more; knee gel injections may be your saving grace!
Knee gel injections have helped many people who suffer from osteoarthritis pain, arthritis, knee osteoarthritis, and several other conditions when conservative options have failed. If you want to know if our gel injection treatment can help your knee osteoarthritis, call (469) 200-2832 to speak with the Frisco & Dallas Texas, SPORT Orthopedics + Physical Therapy specialist.
