According to Dasa et al. (2016), Orthovisc and other viscosupplementations significantly delay the need for total knee replacement procedures. This finding highlights the potential of hyaluronic acid injections as a long-term solution for patients with knee osteoarthritis who prefer not to undergo surgical interventions.
Knee osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative joint disease, progressively intensifies its symptoms over time. This condition can lead to chronic joint pain, significantly impacting the quality of life for those affected. To alleviate these symptoms and restore joint function, medical professionals often recommend a treatment regimen involving Orthovisc.
This article will explore Orthovisc dosage requirements, proper administration and treatment procedure, and the patient selection for this viscosupplementation.
Key Takeaways
- The hyaluronic acid mainly comprises the fluid, and Orthovisc knee injections can temporarily add the HA to lubricate and cushion the joints.
- Proper Orthovisc dosage is crucial in achieving the therapeutic efficacy of the therapy while minimizing risks or complications.
- Medical professionals can significantly help individuals benefit from Orthovisc knee injections through a proper consultation and appropriate treatment procedure.
- The Orthovisc treatment effects may last up to six (6) months or longer for those with milder knee OA conditions.
- Healthcare providers know the most appropriate administration technique to ensure that Ortohovisc knee injections can effectively aid in the patient’s knee osteoarthritis concerns.
- Preventing the administration of Orthovisc to individuals with specific contraindications can significantly help avoid further complications to their osteoarthritis (OA) and overall health.
About: Medica Depot is your trusted all-in-one supplier, offering a range of high-quality medical injectables and supplies. If you’re looking to buy Orthovisc online, you can do so on Medica Depot quickly and easily. We offer a worry-free experience in searching for the best and most popular products on the market. Whether for health professionals, plastic surgeons, dermatologists, licensed estheticians, or other specialists, we can offer genuine, brand-name products you may need. With Medica Depot, we prioritize serving you better to improve the patient’s quality of life.
Understanding Orthovisc Dosage
Orthovisc is one of the popular brand-name viscosupplements that the medical field utilizes to treat pain caused by knee osteoarthritis (OA). Due to the decreasing synovial fluid in the knee joints, friction occurs in the cartilage, causing joint pain and inflammation.
Medical professionals use this hyaluronic acid (HA) injection therapy to replenish the lost HA in the synovial fluid. The HA mainly comprises the fluid, and Orthovisc knee injections can temporarily add the HA to lubricate and cushion the joints. Individuals can lean on Orthovisc’s safety, as the Food and Drug Administration has approved this viscosupplement for knee OA symptoms.
Healthcare providers must administer Orthovisc knee injections intra-articularly and directly into the affected knee joint. The typical Orthovisc dosage for knee OA is 2 mL for each knee, injected once a week for three to four weeks.
Proper Orthovisc dosage is crucial in achieving the therapeutic efficacy of the therapy while minimizing risks or complications. Medical professionals must determine the active ingredient’s concentration in the patient’s body, meticulously aligned, to ensure that the medication can cause no harm to the patient’s overall health.
It’s worth noting that several factors influence the Orthovisc dosage administration. A thorough consultation with your trusted doctors can allow them to assess your knee OA condition, health status, and other patient characteristics that may affect the dosing regimen of the Orthovisc knee injections.
- Age
- Weight
- Genetics
- Disease Severity
- Coexisting Conditions
- Current Medications
- Previous Treatments
Dosing Regimens for Orthovisc
Dosing regimens are crucial for optimal outcomes in viscosupplementation for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Medical professionals can significantly help individuals benefit from Orthovisc knee injections through a proper consultation and appropriate treatment procedure.
- Initial Dosing Recommendations: The initial Orthovisc dosage recommendation is a weekly 2 mL injection into the affected knee joint. A medical professional must administer the Orthovisc knee shots to ensure a safe and effective treatment process.
- Frequency of Injections: Orthovisc knee shots must typically follow a three—or four-week therapy, depending on the healthcare provider’s recommendations. Adhering to this schedule is essential to achieving the patient’s desired results and longer symptomatic relief for their knee OA.
- Adjustments Based on Treatment Response: Patients must know their response to this injection treatment may vary. Some may experience relief after the first injection, while others must complete the course to fully benefit from it.
So, how long can Orthovisc knee injections last? The treatment effects may last up to six (6) months or longer for those with milder knee OA conditions. However, frequent visits to the doctor may allow them to monitor your treatment response and progress and can recommend when to repeat another treatment after six months.
Administration Techniques
Healthcare providers know the most appropriate administration technique to ensure that Ortohovisc knee injections can effectively aid in the patient’s knee osteoarthritis concerns. This injection therapy may require several shots, but a session is typically a quick 15 to 30-minute with little to no discomfort.
- Injection Site Selection: Medical professionals must administer Orthovisc knee injections directly into the affected knee joint. They may prepare the knee with a local or topical anesthetic before injecting the shot to avoid pain or discomfort to the patient.
- Injection Procedure: Providers must also remove joint effusion to avoid complications during or after the procedure. According to the Food and Drug Administration’s Orthovisc high-molecular weight injection precautions, medical professionals must follow a strict aseptic injection technique when administering the shots.
- Patient Positioning and Aftercare: Patients must rest their knees before and after the injection. Moreover, providers will require Orthovisc-treated patients to avoid strenuous activities for at least 48 hours after the injection session. This includes jogging, tennis, heavy lifting, standing on your feet for a long time, or movement that may cause excessive knee stress.
Special Considerations for Orthovisc Dosage
While Orthovisc knee injections are generally safe for most individuals, it’s necessary to determine the special considerations for this treatment. Orthovisc manufacturer has yet to test the injection’s safety and efficacy on the following individuals:
- Pregnant women
- Breastfeeding women
- Children
Moreover, Orthovisc injections also have several contraindications that medical professionals must strictly remember. Preventing the administration of Orthovisc to individuals with these conditions can significantly help avoid further complications to their osteoarthritis (OA) and overall health.
- Do not administer to patients with known hypersensitivity or allergy to hyaluronate preparations.
- Do not administer to patients with known allergies to avian or avian-derived products (including eggs, feathers, or poultry).
- Do not inject Orthovisc in the knees of patients with infections or skin diseases in the area of the injection site or joint.
There are also special populations that may require a more patient-centric approach when receiving Orthovisc knee injections. A tailored treatment plan can help these individuals achieve their desired relief while avoiding health compromise. Healthcare providers can align the injection’s benefits to the patient’s goals, needs, OA condition, and health.
- Dosage Adjustments for Elderly Patients: Healthcare providers may determine Orthovisc dosage for elderly patients. They may consider factors such as the patient’s overall health, severity of knee OA, treatment response, previous treatments, and other medications.
- Dosing Considerations for Patients with Comorbidities: Individuals with comorbidities may need an adjustment in their Orthovisc dosage. Medical professionals can consider similar factors for elderly patients, such as their health, OA condition, and current medications.
- Orthovisc Dosage for Athletes and Active Individuals: The dosage requirement may stick to the usual 2 mL weekly injection per knee for three to four weeks. However, providers may advise athletes or active patients to avoid strenuous activities and ask their trusted doctors when they can return to active lifestyles after the Orthovisc knee injections.
Conclusion
Orthovisc is a viscosupplement used to treat knee pain, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis (OA). Healthcare providers understand the specific dosage guidelines to carefully align the Orthovisc solution to the patient’s condition and health, ensuring that the medication provides the desired therapeutic effect.
The administration technique, dosing regiment, and special considerations play a significant role in the safety and efficacy of an Orthovisc shot. By adhering to these guidelines and spearheading a patient-centric approach, healthcare providers can ensure that patients benefit from the treatment while minimizing the potential risks and complications.
FAQs
1) What is Orthovisc used for?
Orthovisc treats individuals with early to moderate knee osteoarthritis (OA). It is utilized on patients who did not receive adequate relief from conservative therapies.
2) How long do Orthovisc knee injections last?
A single cycle of Orthovisc knee injections can last up to six (6) months. Milder knee OA conditions can experience longer treatment effects.
3) What is the recommended Orthovisc frequency?
A typical Orthovisc cycle requires three to four direct injections with weekly injections. Each knee should receive 2 mL of Orthovisc.
4) What are the potential side effects?
The most common side effects of Orthovisc include pain or swelling at the injection site and mild discomfort or redness. However, when these persist, promptly contact your doctor.
References
- Dasa, V., DeKoven, M., Sun, K., Scott, A., & Lim, S. (2016). Clinical and cost outcomes from different hyaluronic acid treatments in patients with knee osteoarthritis: evidence from a US health plan claims database. Drugs in context, 5, 212296. https://doi.org/10.7573/dic.212296
- Patient Information ORTHOVISC® High Molecular Weight Hyaluronan. (n.d.). US Food and Drug Administration. Retrieved April 16, 2024, from https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/cdrh_docs/pdf3/p030019d.pdf
