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Published: June 25, 2024

What Is the Best Gel Injection for Knees?

Hyaluronic acid injections for knee osteoarthritis are among the most popular solutions to deal with painful sensations and long-lasting discomfort. If patients have tried everything, including traditional physical therapy and oral medications, and still can’t see the improvement, HA gels will work just fine for their needs. There are numerous options available on the market, so the task of picking out the best one can be pretty challenging at first. Today’s article is dedicated to the most popular gel injections for knee pain, explaining the peculiarities of each one and helping you decide on the most suitable option.

In case you’re looking for a place to buy knee injections for osteoarthritis, Ogomed is just the right place! Check out all the medications we have in stock and purchase them at the most reasonable prices. Please keep in mind that we only sell these products to licensed medical professionals.     

Why Do People Use Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Knee Pain?

Hyaluronic acid is a game-changing ingredient when it comes to osteoarthritis knee pain reduction. The gel is typically administered between the knee joints to reduce the pain caused by the lack of the natural synovial fluid. It may happen with age, so using HA is a perfect preventative method to make one’s movement a lot more comfortable. Typically, the effect develops within eight weeks after the first administration session, reaching its peak and remaining well-controlled and helpful for around nine months. The best thing is that it’s possible to prolong the result by scheduling maintenance treatments and adding more medication as the gel wears off gradually after some time.

So, why do specialists recommend a hyaluronic acid injection so eagerly to their patients? That’s easy. An additional cushion created between the joints prevents bones from scraping, meaning people can move freely without any unwanted pain or discomfort.

Man having a knee joint pain

Active Substances Used for Joint Pain Viscosupplements

Before discussing the most popular hyaluronic acid-based brands, let’s mention all the available substances that can be used for knee joint pain treatment to understand all the options that may be considered:

  • Hylan GF-20. This substance is derived from sodium hyaluronate. Basically, it’s the combination of the cross-linked Hylan A and Hylan B with a high molecular weight. This option is as effective as other substances used for osteoarthritis treatment;
  • High molecular weight hyaluronan. Synthetic hyaluronic acid molecules help to create a highly effective lubricant that helps to move painlessly and without any unwanted discomfort;
  • Sodium hyaluronate. Even though this substance occurs naturally in the body, it can still be created artificially. Basically, it’s a long-chain polymer of disaccharide units, which effectively replicates the synovial fluids of a young person.

Even though these can seem similar, slight differences can be understood only by an educated specialist. That’s why it’s vital to consult with a specialist and pick the product according to one’s health peculiarities.

The Best Hyaluronic Acid Gel Injections for Knees

Now that we understand the variety of injectables used for chronic knee pain treatment, we would like to dive deeper into the quite impressive selection of hyaluronic acid-based osteoarthritis (OA) medications. Each product is unique, so it’s vital to understand all the peculiarities to select the most suitable option that will provide an efficient effect.

Note: Joint injections mentioned in this article can be prescribed for more than just knee joints. Hips, shoulders, elbows, wrists, and other target spots are suitable for this type of procedure.

#1. Crespine

Crespine is a medication meant to treat OA knee pain and make it easier for individuals to move and perform everyday tasks. The concentration of hyaluronic acid in the composition is 14mg/ml, which is enough to provide a pain-relieving effect for about 8 months. Thanks to the non-animal origin of hyaluronic acid, the chances of experiencing severe allergic reactions or other unfortunate adverse reactions are low, making this product safe for patients with various needs. The gel is meant to be administered directly into the affected joint and can only be used by an experienced medical professional, as only they are aware of all the peculiarities of the human body. One injection session is typically enough for the results to develop fully.

#2. Durolane

This product used for the hyaluronic acid treatment originated in Sweden, giving it excellent European quality. The concentration of the active substance is 20mg/ml, and that’s why the effect lasts much longer than most injectables – around 15 months. Typically, one single injection is enough to deal with the knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. To ensure the results are durable and the gel indeed creates the cushion between the affected joints, it may be introduced with the help of an ultrasound, plus a specialist may schedule additional appointments to restore the amount of the gel in the target area.

#3. Euflexxa

Euflexxa is another knee injection that replaces synovial fluid between the joints, providing a long-lasting pain-relieving effect. Thanks to 1% sodium hyaluronate, it acts as a lubricant and shock absorber, which explains its excellent reputation among OA patients. To see proper results, people need three injections introduced over the course of three weeks; ideally, there should be an interval from 7 to 10 days for the gel to settle properly. If the procedure is performed correctly, people can experience positive results for up to six months. It’s often combined with other treatments for more efficient results, but this step must be discussed with a medical professional to create a perfect formula for a safe experience with Euflexxa.

#4. Monovisc

Monovisc is one of the most concentrated intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections available on the market. It contains 22mg/ml of hyaluronic acid, which is of non-animal origin, so it’s entirely safe for all the patients out there. The maximum Monovisc dose currently available in the United States is 88mg, and it can be administered in one go. The longevity of the results starts from six months, but this factor depends on certain aspects, such as the product’s concentration, the severity of the condition, one’s body peculiarities, and other essentials that cannot be ignored. Typically, one single injection is enough to reach the desired effect, but more may be required based on the situation and doctor’s recommendations.

#5. Synvisc

Synvisc is available in two forms: Synvisc and SynviscOne; they have a similar formula, but the main difference is that SynviscOne is a single-dose product, while Synvisc should be administered in a course of three weekly injections. HA concentrations are 48mg/ml (SynviscOne) and 16mg/ml (Synvisc), and the right product is picked according to patients’ needs. The longevity starts from six months, and the effect can be supported with the help of timely-scheduled maintenance treatments. The gel-like substance is smoothly administered between the affected joints, reducing chronic pain caused by osteoarthritis, as well as lowering discomfort after knee replacement surgery and other procedures meant to treat osteoarthritis.

Safety Information to Be Aware of

As hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that works perfectly for pain and shock absorption, it rarely causes long-lasting complications. Still, there is a slight chance of experiencing certain adverse reactions, which is why we believe it’s important to mention all the risks and limitations for patients to have a full picture of their experience with hyaluronic acid knee injections.

Here are the most common side effects most patients experience:

  • Slight joint swelling and muscle pain;
  • Local skin irritation in the administration spot;
  • Numbness or unusual tingling sensation;
  • Headache, migraine, dizziness.

All the symptoms mentioned above should disappear within a few hours to a few days as the body gets used to the unknown medication in its system. However, if they continue for more than a week, or if a person experiences an allergic reaction along with some other severe adverse reactions, a specialist must be informed about that as quickly as possible. Contacting a doctor if the injection session doesn’t bring desired pain relief is also important.

As for the limitations, there are some conditions that mean people should consider other treatment options for their health issues. For example, individuals with skin diseases, skin damage or irritation in the target spot, known allergies related to the product’s ingredients, blood clotting issues, and other health problems shouldn’t use these pain relievers. We highly recommend talking to a specialist before deciding on any of the products mentioned above, as it’s the safest way to achieve the desired results in no time.

The Bottom Line: The Best Knee Injections to Eliminate Pain

As you can see, the options for knee osteoarthritis treatment are countless, and it is vital to choose the right one to fulfill one’s needs. Euflexxa, Durolane, and Monovisc are just a few brands that can be added to one’s treatment regime, along with physical therapy and certain traditional medications. The reason is that hyaluronic acid administered between the joints acts like a cushion, efficiently eliminating unpleasant sensations and reducing discomfort. To understand which product would work better for a patient, it’s recommended to set an appointment with a specialist in a clinic and discuss all the issues along with the most optimal solutions. Once again, we would like to remind you about the importance of the gel’s quality, so consider Ogomed as your reliable supplier to provide your clients with the best experience and efficient pain relief. We’re always ready to help!