What is Visco-Supplementation?

Do you often find yourself having difficulty getting up from a chair, climbing stairs, or simply reaching out for an object?

When the cartilage at the end of your bones is worn out and bones start rubbing against each other, friction leads to pain, inflammation, and gradual loss of function.

The cartilage at the end of the bones is lubricated and nourished by a fluid called hyaluronic acid, an oil-like substance that aids the smooth movement of your joints. When the cartilage is damaged, this “oil” is the only thing left to lubricate your joints.

Visco-supplementation is the replacement of hyaluronic acid in your joints through injections of a bio-engineered gel that is identical to joint fluid but is 100 times thicker. 

After our expert, Dr. Thomas Kane III, drains any fluid related to inflammation or swelling in the joint, he often will administer the gel-like injection. The results? Reduced pain and improved mobility.

If you are interested in learning more about visco-supplementation, read on to find out when it is recommended and who is a good candidate for it.

How visco-supplementation works and what results you can expect to see

If your arthritis is in its early stages, visco-supplementation may be a great option for reducing pain, as it adds lubrication to your joints.

The treatment is straightforward. Dr. Kane injects the substance into the affected joint after a sterile prep of the skin. You can have it done on your lunch break and return immediately to your regular routine.

Most people tolerate it very well, since hyaluronic acid is a substance naturally found in your body. However, some may experience mild redness and discomfort at the injection site.

Results may take a couple of weeks to become noticeable, as most people benefit from several sessions, done once per week. The good news is that the results are long-lasting once the hyaluronic acid accumulates in the joint. In addition, if the injections successfully reduce pain and increase mobility, they may also reduce the friction between bones, potentially slowing the progression of arthritis.  National studies show that 60% of patients experience a positive result from the injection, which lasts up to 9 months.

Who is a good candidate for visco-supplementation

Visco-supplementation is often most effective if you suffer from mild to moderate arthritis and are still experiencing significant pain despite conservative treatments like physical therapy and over-the-counter pain relievers and cortisone shots.

It’s considered to be less effective for those with severe, bone-on-bone arthritis or significant joint inflammation, but even some of those patients benefit as well

Unlike injections of PRP or stem cells (neither of which have been proven to have any efficacy in the treatment of arthritis), viscosupplementation is covered by your insurance.

Learn more about visco-supplementation

Unsure what to do next? Contact us to schedule an appointment at our office located in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Pain, stiffness, and loss of mobility don’t have to become your reality. With an expert on your side offering a wide range of services for arthritis—including non-invasive and surgical solutions—you can be sure you’ll receive the treatments that work best for you and help prevent long-term complications.