When knee osteoarthritis occurs, the hyaluronic acid in the synovial joint fluid becomes depleted, reducing the fluid’s lubrication and shock-absorbing properties.10

This hyaluronic acid depletion is associated with increased inflammation that can degrade knee cartilage and cause pain when you move the joint.5,11,24

Injected directly into the knee, hyaluronic acid treatments restore the shock-absorbing properties of the synovial fluid, relieving osteoarthritis pain longer than steroids, and with fewer side effects than NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen).10,11,15,19 Injections are usually administered in a doctor’s office, and the entire procedure takes only a few minutes. Most patients say they feel little or no discomfort. Treatments can range from a single injection to one injection a week for three to five weeks.

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Choosing HA gives you more freedom from pain today, better options tomorrow

The benefits of HA can be felt in as early as 2 weeks through improvements in physical activity and quality of life.20 Hyaluronic acid treatments have been proven to provide much longer-lasting pain relief — up to 6 months— than steroid injections. Plus, hyaluronic acid treatments can be safely repeated without the risks of side effects from repeated NSAID use and steroid injections.11,19

Hyaluronic acid also may do more than relieve osteoarthritis pain longer. A clinical study has shown that hyaluronic acid treatments may delay the need for knee replacement surgery.12

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