Eliminating Knee Pain with Injections
One of the most common non-surgical treatment methods for knee pain is an injection of medication directly into the affected joint.
Piedmont physicians use HYALGAN®, a solution that contains a natural substance called hyaluronate. Hyaluronate is normally found in the fluid that lubricates and cushions your knee joint. HYALGAN is injected into your knee to relieve pain. HYALGAN is a treatment option for people who do not get adequate pain relief from simple painkillers (like Tylenol® or Advil®) or from exercise and physical therapy. HYALGAN injections can be used in addition to prescription pain relievers (like Celebrex®).
During this non-operative, outpatient procedure, the physician injects a pain relief medication called HYALGAN into the knee joint, which will help the knee move smoothly, reducing or relieving the pain of osteoarthritis.
Although each patient experience is unique, here is a general outline of what you can expect at your HYALGEN injection:
Preparation
In preparation for the injection, the physician swabs the knee and administers a local anesthetic. The physician positions a device called a fluoroscope over the knee. The fluoroscope will display a moving x-ray image of the inside of the knee. This will ensure that the HYALGAN is injected into the joint space.
Injecting the Dye
The physician carefully guides a needle into the knee joint. The physician confirms the needle's placement with an injection of dye. The dye is clearly visible on the fluoroscope. If the dye pools in the soft tissue at the front of the knee, the physician adjusts the placement of the needle. When the dye successfully reaches the space inside the joint, the physician is ready to inject the HYALGAN.
Injecting the Medication
While leaving the needle in position, the physician removes the dye syringe and replaces it with a HYALGAN syringe. The physician injects the HYALGAN into the space within the knee joint. The HYALGAN will bond with the synovial fluid inside the joint. It will help cushion and lubricate the joint.
End of Procedure
When the injection is complete, the physician removes the needle and bandages the knee. HYALGAN is administered in a series of three to five injections given one week apart. Patients typically begin to feel pain relief after the third injection, and pain relief can last for up to six months. Physical therapy will enhance the effects of the medication.