According to Mao et al. (2022), patients experiencing frozen shoulders can benefit from intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections. This treatment effectively improves the range of motion, allowing pain-free movement and enhances the quality of life for those with shoulder osteoarthritis.
For individuals with osteoarthritis (OA), viscosupplementation has become a widely recognized option. The therapy involves injecting a natural body substance called hyaluronic acid (HA) into the joints. Treatments like Hyalgan enhance mobility in affected areas like knees and shoulders, restoring function and enabling patients to live pain-free lives.
This article will explore the effectiveness of hyaluronic acid injections for shoulder osteoarthritis, other treatment options, and Hyalgan as a potential treatment.
Key Takeaways
- Medical professionals may recommend hyaluronic acid injections in the joints or viscosupplementation to restore the synovial fluid’s viscoelasticity.
- Although primarily indicated for treating knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain, Hyalgan can potentially manage other OA conditions, such as shoulders.
- Like how medical professionals utilize knee OA injection, they may recommend HA shoulder joint injections when first-line therapies and oral medications have not affected individuals.
- Individuals must discuss with their trusted doctors to understand how and if Hyalgan can help with their shoulder osteoarthritis.
- A 2015 study supports that intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections, like Hyalgan, are helpful therapeutic tools for individuals suffering from OA.
Understanding Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural substance in the body, specifically the skin and joints. It is crucial for tissue hydration, joint lubrication, and wound repair. Medical professionals may recommend HA injections in the knee or viscosupplementation to restore the synovial fluid’s viscoelasticity.
Hyalgan knee injections use highly purified hyaluronic acid (HA) in their solution to deliver optimal outcomes to patients. HA is an essential component of the joint’s synovial fluid that reduces cartilage friction. In osteoarthritis, the HA in synovial fluid decreases or changes over time.
The intra-articular administration of the injection directly into the joints can replenish the fluid’s HA for improved joint function and mobility. When administered, Hyalgan can restore the HA lost in the synovial fluid, allowing individuals to facilitate pain-free movements.
Although primarily indicated for treating knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain, Hyalgan can potentially manage other OA conditions like shoulders. However, further studies and evidence are needed to determine the specific role and effectiveness of Hyalgan for shoulder OA.
Clinical Applications of Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Shoulder Osteoarthritis
As hyaluronic acid injections are deemed safe for most individuals, they can also effectively manage shoulder osteoarthritis. Hyalgan injections can improve joint movement, reduce friction, absorb shocks, and regulate inflammation.
Like how medical professionals utilize knee OA injection, they may recommend HA shoulder joint injections when first-line therapies and oral medications have not affected individuals. Indications include osteoarthritis, adhesive capsulitis or frozen shoulder, and rheumatoid arthritis.
Individuals must consult trusted medical professionals to determine the best treatment for their shoulder OA concerns. They may wonder about the appropriate treatment process between Hyalgan vs Synvisc, but they can make an informed healthcare decision with medical professionals’ guidance.
Consider HA injections only after trying other appropriate therapeutic interventions. Patients may have experienced factors or symptoms that urge them to seek non-surgical treatment to determine whether they can undergo a Hyalgan shoulder injection.
- Chronic Pain
- Decreased Range of Motion
- Weakness in the Shoulder Area
The American College of Rheumatology/Arthritis Foundation guidelines include various first-line treatments for osteoarthritis. They recommend exercise, tai chi, and self-efficacy or self-management programs. Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) provide temporary pain relief and function for the affected joints.
Intra-articular injections may also significantly improve pain and joint function. However, all these treatments require medical professionals’ recommendations and expertise to ensure a safe and effective treatment process.
Administering Hyaluronic Acid Injections in the Shoulder Joint
Medical professionals inject hyaluronic acid (HA) into the affected shoulder joint’s synovial fluid. This procedure involves administering local anesthetic for a comfortable treatment process, followed by the HA shot. HA injection treatment can improve the joint’s gliding motion and reduce pain.
Experienced and licensed healthcare providers know the most appropriate injection techniques for shoulder joint injections. As Hyalgan injection does not indicate shoulder osteoarthritis treatment, here are some potential sites where providers may administer the shots.
- Deltoid
- Dorsogluteal
- Ventrogluteal
- Rectus femoris
- Vastus lateralis
Individuals must discuss with their trusted doctors to understand how and if Hyalgan can help with their shoulder osteoarthritis. Additionally, medical professionals may determine the dosing regimen for shoulder joint treatment through various factors.
- Drug Dosage
- Frequency
- Route of Administration
- Duration of Treatment
- Patient Parameters (age, weight, OA condition, overall health, etc.)
The recommended dosage for this viscosupplement in a Hyalgan knee injection is 2 mL of the solution for each knee. Depending on the provider’s recommendations for the patients, completing a Hyalgan course requires three or five injections.
Efficacy and Treatment Outcomes
HA injections have shown promising results in managing osteoarthritis (OA). A 2015 study supports that intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections, like Hyalgan, are helpful therapeutic tools for individuals suffering from OA. Literature data also exhibited the therapy’s ability to reduce pain and improve joint mobility.
Furthermore, the study highlights HA injections’ capacity to delay surgical procedures and can be considered a safe and effective long-term minimally invasive treatment. While it may not cure OA, medical professionals may recommend these injections to slow the disease’s progression and enhance individuals’ quality of life.
Healthcare providers may recommend first-line treatment options for shoulder OA before suggesting HA injections. These include oral medications, physical therapy, or home exercises. For severe cases of shoulder OA, they may add surgical treatment as another option.
If the first-line solutions do not work for individuals, medical professionals may recommend combining HA injections with these therapies. This combination approach can help sustain the duration of the injection treatment’s effects. According to WebMD, studies show that HA injections may work better than painkillers for other OA patients.
While Hyalgan and most HA injections can provide symptomatic OA relief for up to six (6) months or even a year in some cases, this procedure does not equate to OA cure. The symptoms may eventually return, and patients may need to get another course of HA injections.
Fortunately, Hyalgan is safe for repeated treatments, and patients can experience up to 30 months of pain relief from OA. Medical professionals and patients should discuss the treatment and create a tailored treatment plan to align Hyalgan’s benefits to the patient’s needs, goals, and health.
Conclusion
Hyaluronic acid injections for the joints have emerged as a secondary solution for osteoarthritis (OA) patients. These injections contain this natural substance that helps lubricate and cushion the joints to improve their function and reduce pain. The injection administration requires a precise procedure and medical professionals who have a thorough understanding of the shoulder’s anatomy and injecting techniques.
Hyalgan is an HA injection that can help manage osteoarthritis symptoms. It can temporarily provide symptomatic relief in the affected joint. While this product is generally safe and effective, it’s worth noting that Hyalgan’s indication is only for the knees. Patients should always consult doctors for the best treatment options for their concerns.
References
- Mao, B., Peng, R., Zhang, Z., Zhang, K., Li, J., & Fu, W. (2022). The Effect of Intra-articular Injection of Hyaluronic Acid in Frozen Shoulder: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research, 17(1), 128. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13018-022-03017-4
- Nall, R. (2022, May 27). How to Know if You Have Shoulder Osteoarthritis? Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/osteoarthritis/osteoarthritis-shoulder#treatment
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