Blog Post

If you’re coping with arthritic knee pain that is limiting your life, your goal may be to find a more sustainable solution than spot medications but less invasive than surgery. If so, hyaluronic acid (HA) injections may present the perfect solution.

The board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Northeast Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine offer a wide range of services, from conservative treatments to surgery, at their offices in Live Oak, Schertz, and San Antonio, Texas.

When it comes to knee pain, HA injections are helping scores of our patients regain their active lifestyles.

Here’s a look at how hyaluronic acid joint injections can ease your knee pain.

Behind your knee pain

Many conditions can lead to knee pain, including:

• Torn ligaments
• Dislocated or fractured kneecap
• Bursitis
• Torn meniscus
• Arthritis and other degenerative conditions

The primary culprits behind knee pain are osteoarthritis and wear and tear, especially as you age. When arthritis strikes your knees, it causes the breakdown of your cartilage and the loss of HA, a naturally occurring substance in your joints that aids with lubrication.

Restoring pain-free movement

If, after an extensive evaluation of your knees, we find that degenerative processes within your joint are to blame for your pain, we typically start conservatively with:

• Anti-inflammatory medications
• Prescription medications
• Physical therapy
• Joint injections, including HA

Our HA injections aim to restore pain-free knee movement by increasing the lubrication within these large joints.

We administer the HA injections in our offices on an outpatient basis, which means you’re free to continue your day afterward (though you should refrain from strenuous exercise until we give you the green light).

To get started, most of our patients benefit from a series of weekly injections over 3-5 weeks. As you progress through your treatment, your pain should ease, and your mobility should increase.

These results can last up to 6 months — even a year for some. Once the pain returns, you simply return for another round of injections.

One of the most significant benefits of HA injections is that they buy you ample time to address your knee pain from every angle, including targeted exercises that strengthen your leg muscles, taking the pressure off your beleaguered joints.

Beyond HA injections

If you're struggling with knee pain, HA injections may be right for you. To find out, book a consultation with the board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Northeast Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine. Call the location closest to you or request an appointment online.