How Viscosupplementation (Gel Injections) Alleviates Chronic Knee Pain

Osteoarthritis affects over 32.5 million people in the United States, making it the most common joint disorder among Americans. As such, it’s often the cause of knee pain. Other conditions can cause knee pain, as well.

At Regenerative Spine and Pain Institute in Plainsboro Township and Manalapan, New Jersey, Dr. Ronak Patel and our team have the expertise, skills, and experience to manage your knee pain with viscosupplementation injections.

You can develop knee pain for a number of reasons. Here’s a look at how chronic knee pain develops and how viscosupplementation can help.

Causes of chronic knee pain

If you have chronic knee pain, it means you feel the pain almost all the time. In other words, it rarely goes away unless you have a successful treatment.

Several conditions or diseases can cause it, including:

• Osteoarthritis
• Bursitis
• Tendinitis
• Gout
• Baker’s cyst
• Chondromalacia patella
• Injuries such as dislocation, meniscus tear, or torn ligament
• Bone tumors

Your condition can also worsen if you overuse your knee, have an infection, don’t warm up or cool down properly with activity, or stretch your muscles the correct way.

You can also be more inclined to have knee problems if you’re an athlete or have had knee injuries in the past. Your risk for knee pain becomes higher with age, too.

How viscosupplementation works

To treat your chronic knee pain, our team performs viscosupplementation, which involves injecting a gel-like fluid called hyaluronate into your knee. The substance lubricates your joints and acts like a shock absorber to help your joints function properly and comfortably.

Before we begin the procedure, we numb the targeted area so you can have a painless experience. 

If your knee has fluid on it, we first aspirate it. We then inject the solution into your knee on one side of your kneecap.

The procedure can:

• Reduce swelling
• Reduce pain
• Improve mobility
• Help lubricate your natural joint
• Allow you to stay active comfortably

The in-office treatment only takes about five minutes.

What to expect after viscosupplementation

Take precautionary measures after your procedure to protect your knee. For example, don’t stand for long periods of time, lift heavy objects, or go for long walks for at least 48 hours.

You might experience some slight pain, swelling, and warmth in your knee, but these symptoms are normal and should dissipate fairly quickly. You can also apply an ice pack to provide some relief.

If you suffer serious symptoms, such as fever, redness, or severe pain, call our office immediately. 

In some cases, the treatment may take several weeks for you to experience the full effect of your injection. In addition, we may recommend a series of injections depending on your results.

To find out if you’re a candidate for viscosupplementation for your knee pain, contact the practice today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Patel and our team. You can also book your appointment online. Feel free to send us a message if you have any questions before your appointment.