Knee osteoarthritis is a common age related problem.
Traditional nonsurgical management
includes :
#Lifestyle modification
#Physical therapy
#Pharmacologic therapy (e.g. analgesics,anti-inflammatory medications)
VISCO SUPPLEMENTATION is a newly available option for patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis that involves intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid. It belongs to the category of localized therapy, more precisely intra-articular pharmacological therapy.
Hyaluronic acid(HA) is a major component of the synovial fluid and of the cartilage and is one of the most important components of the extracellular matrix. HA is a high-molecular-weight glycosaminoglycan. When a person has osteoarthritis of the knee, not only the quality of the synovial fluid decreases, but also the concentration and molecular weight of HA. This can lead to pain and loss of function in the joint of the knee. Therefore, hyaluronic acid is injected so that the concentration,molecular weight characteristics in the extracellular matrix and the visco-elasticity of the synovial fluid can recover. This results in improved pain control, articular function and mobility.
Two hyaluronic acid products are available - Hyaluronan and Hylan G-F 20.
Indication for visco supplementation: Patients who have significant residual symptoms despite traditionalnonpharmacologic and pharmacologic treatments and those who have stage 1 or 2arthritic changes.
Visco supplementation has been found a safe treatment and most of the patients were satisfied with this treatment.