According to Nicholls et al. (2018), Orthovisc resembles a healthy knee synovial fluid structure. This similarity is significant as it suggests that Orthovisc knee injections could be effective for individuals seeking to restore pain-free joint movement, relieving the discomfort associated with knee osteoarthritis.
Due to its symptoms, knee osteoarthritis (OA) can significantly impact a patient’s quality of life. Individuals with early to moderate knee OA symptoms can hinder daily activities and restrict mobility. Fortunately, Orthovisc presents a non-surgical solution to restore knee joint movement so patients can regain their active lifestyles.
This article will explore Orthovisc knee injections, their treatment procedure, clinical uses, efficacy, and treatment outcomes.
Key Takeaways
- Orthovisc is a hyaluronic acid treatment that addresses joint pain, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis.
- A clinical study observed that Orthovisc knee injections produced statistically and clinically significant symptom improvement.
- When medical professionals administer these Orthovisc knee injections, they act as lubricants and shock absorbers for the joints.
- Orthovisc requires three intra-articular injections directly into the knee joint once a week for full effects.
- Orthovisc has proven its efficacy in addressing knee osteoarthritis (OA) concerns, allowing medical professionals to offer this option to knee OA patients.
- Healthcare providers must educate their patients about Orthovisc injections, providing comprehensive information about the benefits, procedure, and potential side effects.
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Efficacy of Orthovisc Knee Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis
While Orthovisc clinical studies are limited, the viscosupplement has received the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval for knee joint treatment. Orthovisc is a hyaluronic acid (HA) treatment used to address knee pain caused by osteoarthritis (OA).
Studies show that viscosupplementation reduces pain intensity compared to placebo. Moreover, Brandt et al. (2001) conducted a clinical trial of Orthovisc in 226 patients with knee osteoarthritis to prove its safety and efficacy.
The study results indicate sodium hyaluronate treatment is well-tolerated by most individuals. Patients received three weekly injections of this viscosupplement. The study also observed that Orthovisc knee injections produced statistically and clinically significant symptom improvement.
Orthovisc capitalizes on hyaluronic acid to bring knee OA symptomatic relief to treated patients. In a level II study, Webner et al. (2021) found that intra-articular Orthovisc knee injections outperformed intra-articular saline. They noted that these injections effectively alleviated knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain and enhanced the patients’ joint functionality.
The research also underscores a comparison of Orthovisc with intra-articular corticosteroids. After three months, Orthovisc knee injections resulted in significantly better pain relief and improved functionality. Furthermore, a six-month evaluation revealed that Orthovisc outperformed dexamethasone in pain management.
Orthopedic surgeons reported that all rated hyaluronic acid products, including Orthovisc, relieved knee OA pain by at least 75%. Patients in WedMD shared their favorable Orthovisc injection reviews and how this three-injection therapy effectively addressed their knee OA pain and symptoms.
Photo Source: Billy via WebMD
Photo Source: Prabhakar via WebMD
Clinical Applications and Indications for Orthovisc Knee Injections
When medical professionals administer these Orthovisc knee injections, they act as lubricants and shock absorbers for the joints. Healthcare providers can typically suggest Orthovisc if other arthritis medications or first-line therapies have failed to offer relief.
Furthermore, individuals must complete the three-shot Orthovisc knee injection therapy to achieve optimal results. The number of injections may also depend on the patient’s OA condition, needs, goals, and overall health. In addition to these indications, medical professionals must follow these contraindications to avoid further complications.
- Do not use Orthovisc for patients with allergies to hyaluronate formulations or gram-positive bacterial proteins.
- Do not use this injection on patients with skin diseases or infections at the injection site.
Injection Techniques, Dosing Regimens, and Treatment Outcomes
Orthovisc requires three intra-articular injections directly into the knee joint once a week for full effects. Medical professionals must remove joint effusion before injection. Also, they must use a new syringe for each injection.
- Recommended Injection Techniques: Medical professionals know the most appropriate injection technique for Orthovisc therapy, and this injection requires a small gauge needle with an 18 to 21 gauge into the knee joint.
- Optimal Dosing Regimens and Treatment Schedules: Healthcare providers must inject Orthovisc’s 2 mL syringe into each knee. For optimal results, complete the cycle with three injections.
- Long-Term Treatment Outcomes: Studies revealed that pain relief can last up to six (6) months after an Orthovisc cycle. Although results may vary, it’s worth noting that patients can undergo repeat treatments after the cycle.
Incorporating Orthovisc into Knee Osteoarthritis Management Strategies
The orthopedic field has backed up the potency of hyaluronic acid (HA) in lubricating and cushioning the knee joints through viscosupplementation. Orthovisc has proven its efficacy in addressing knee osteoarthritis (OA) concerns, allowing medical professionals to offer this option to knee OA patients.
Medical professionals can incorporate Orthovisc knee injections into comprehensive management plans for knee OA as a minimally invasive option. A tailored treatment plan can help healthcare providers align Orthovisc therapy to the patient’s needs, OA condition, goals, and health status.
Furthermore, healthcare providers must educate patients about Orthovisc injections, providing comprehensive information about the benefits, procedure, and potential side effects. They should know these critical factors to help them make informed decisions for their healthcare. These providers can also help answer patients’ questions and concerns.
Shared decision-making between the physician and patient allows them to make a clinical choice. The physician can provide clear and complete medical information about Orthovisc treatment, and the patient delivers information on their preferences.
Conclusion
Orthovisc knee injections have shown efficacy in treating knee osteoarthritis (OA), delivering symptomatic relief, and improving joint mobility. Orthovisc manufacturers indicate this for patients who have not responded to other simple analgesics or first-line treatment. The injection techniques and dosage regimens can contribute to the treatment outcomes.
Incorporating Orthovisc into knee OA management strategies offers patients a non-surgical treatment option. By empowering medical professionals with knowledge about Orthovisc knee injections, they can optimize patient care and improve the quality of life for those suffering from knee OA.
References
- Nicholls, M., Manjoo, A., Shaw, P., Niazi, F., & Rosen, J. (2018). A Comparison Between Rheological Properties of Intra-articular Hyaluronic Acid Preparations and Reported Human Synovial Fluid. Advances in Therapy, 35(4), 523–530. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12325-018-0688-y
- Orthovisc – Hyaluronic Acid Viscosupplement Treatment For OA Pain – Anika. (2022, January 10). Anika.com. https://anika.com/medical/products/orthovisc/
