Definition: Viscosupplementation is a procedure that involves the injection of gel-like substances (hyaluronates) into a joint to supplement the viscous properties of synovial fluid.Sodium Hyaluronate Effective For Treating Chronic Shoulder Pain According To Study
Viscosupplementation
Knee Pain
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Joint Pain
Osteoarthritis
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Currently, hyaluronate injections are approved for the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee in those who have failed to respond to more conservative therapy. Use for other joints is being investigated.
Currently, there are five FDA appoved hyaluronates:
Fast Facts About Viscosupplementation:
- Viscosupplementation has been studied for osteoarthritis treatment since the 1970s.
- Hyalgan injections were FDA approved on 05/28/1997.
- Synvisc injections were FDA approved on 08/08/1997.
- Supartz injections were FDA approved on 01/24/2001.
- Orthovisc injections were FDA approved on 02/05/2004.
- Euflexxa injections were FDA approved on 12/03/2004.
- Hyaluronates are considered treatments or therapies, not drugs.
Related Resources
Related Resources - Osteoarthritis
Also Known As: joint fluid therapy, hyaluronan injections, hyaluronate injections, joint fluid prosthesis, intra-articular knee injections
Alternate Spellings: visco-supplementation
Common Misspellings: viskosupplementation, viscasupplementation
Examples: The doctor recommended viscosupplementation to help the osteoarthritis in my knee. Viscosupplementation is a type of intra-articular knee injection.
Sources: What is Viscosupplementation?, The Cleveland Clinic Department of Patient Education and Health Information, 12/17/2003; Viscosupplementation Treatment for Arthritis, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, November 2000, What is Viscosupplementation?, synvisc.com
