Viscosupplementation Gel Injections for Knee Arthritis Q&A

Viscosupplementation injections use hyaluronic acid (HA) to treat chronic joint pain and dysfunction, particularly osteoarthritis in the knee joint. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that occurs naturally in your body and is found in the highest concentrations within the fluid that surrounds your joints and eyes. The fluid around your joints containing hyaluronic acid, known as synovial fluid, functions as a shock absorber and lubricant for your joints.

However, synovial fluid loses much of its thickness and viscosity during osteoarthritis, causing increased pain and discomfort with joint movement while also allowing inflammatory cells released during osteoarthritis to contact sensory nerves in your joint.

With that in mind, viscosupplementation injections supplement the synovial fluid by injecting a thick gel form of hyaluronic acid into the synovium, or synovial membrane, to allow for decreased inflammation and smoother and less painful joint movement.

Many patients have found viscosupplementation injections to be a highly effective pain relief solution to joint pain caused by conditions like osteoarthritis. Moreover, considering that the procedure is minimally invasive, quick, and relatively painless, there is very little risk with viscosupplementation injections when compared with the benefits of viscosupplementation, which include long-lasting pain relief and improved joint function. In this way, viscosupplementation is an effective alternative to more invasive procedures like total knee replacement for individuals who want to avoid or delay such treatment.

During a viscosupplementation injection procedure, the medical provider will clean the injection site and administer a local anesthetic to the joint so that you do not feel any pain during the viscosupplementation injection. In some cases, your provider may use X-ray or ultrasound imaging to guide the needle into the precise position. Once the anesthetic has taken sufficient hold, they will inject the hyaluronic acid directly into the affected joint synovium using a needle and syringe. After the injection, your provider will apply a small bandage to cover the injection site.

When viscosupplementation injections are successful, they can provide pain relief and improved joint function for anywhere between two months to one year. With additional injections, you may find that the effects of viscosupplementation treatment last up to three years. While viscosupplementation injections can last for a long time, the results are not immediate. As such, it may take several weeks before you notice an improvement in joint pain and function.

The price of Viscosupplementation injections varies according to several different factors, including the brand of injection that is used and the number of injections that are administered. Typically, the cost starts from $990 depending on the provider and the type of injection. With that in mind, if you would like to know our price ranges for Viscosupplementation injections at OmniSpine Pain Management, please feel free to give us a call! A member of our friendly administrative staff would be pleased to provide you with all of the financial details regarding Viscosupplementation injections, including financing options, current specials and promotions, and more.

For an appointment or more information about Viscosupplementation injections at OmniSpine Pain Management, we welcome you to give us a call or schedule an appointment with us right here on our website. OmniSpine Pain Management has clinics located in Frisco and Mesquite, Texas.

Yes, medically necessary viscosupplementation injections are generally qualified HSA (Health Savings Account) expenses when used to treat knee osteoarthritis and meet IRS eligibility requirements. These injections contain hyaluronic acid, which may help reduce joint pain and stiffness in some patients. At OmniSpine Pain Management, our team evaluates each patient’s condition to determine whether viscosupplementation is an appropriate treatment option. Patients should confirm eligibility with their HSA administrator and verify accepted payment methods with our clinic before scheduling treatment.

At OmniSpine Pain Management, patients are evaluated for viscosupplementation injections through a review of their symptoms, medical history, physical examination, and imaging studies when needed to identify the cause and severity of joint pain.

Our team considers factors such as the degree of joint degeneration, response to previous treatments, activity limitations, and overall treatment goals. If appropriate, viscosupplementation may be recommended as part of a personalized care plan to help reduce pain, improve joint mobility, and support daily function. For more information, please contact us today or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 8380 Warren Pkwy, Suite 100, Frisco, TX 75034. We serve patients from Frisco TX, Plano TX, The Colony TX, McKinney TX, Allen TX, and surrounding areas.