Hyaluronic acid or Synvisc 1 is a treatment for osteoarthritis (OA). It is a clear gel that is delivered by a small injection into the joint. It is made from a natural substance that lubricates the joint and may provide up to 6 months of osteoarthritis knee pain relief with one injection.
Hyaluronic acid injection is used to treat knee pain caused by osteoarthritis (OA) in patients who have already been treated with pain relievers (e.g., acetaminophen) and other treatments that did not work well.
The cost of sourcing hyaluron (Durolane) directly is $540 (July 2021). The gap after Medicare for your initial consultation at Australian Sports Doctors is generally $60 -100, depending on consultation duration and other medical issues discussed.
What is ZILRETTA? ZILRETTA® (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injectable suspension) is an extended-release corticosteroid approved to manage osteoarthritis knee pain. The benefits and risks of repeat injections have not been demonstrated. Who should not receive ZILRETTA?
You'll likely receive a cortisone shot, also called a steroid injection, as a first-line treatment. Cortisone shots are effective for many patients in quickly reducing inflammation and pain directly inside the joint, but they come with a few precautions.
Non-Invasive Treatments
Ice and over-the-counter pain medication like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can help. Sometimes physical therapy or a guided exercise program can provide bone-on-bone knee pain relief by strengthening the muscles that support the knee, particularly the quadriceps.
On MDsave, the cost of a Gel One Injection ranges from $1436 to $3159. Those on high deductible health plans or without insurance can shop, compare prices and save. Read more about how MDsave works.
Genicular nerve radiofrequency ablation is a minimally invasive treatment for knee pain due to osteoarthritis of the knee, and can significantly reduce pain, especially for adults who are 50 and older.
The gel injections tend to be effective for about 50% of patients, but for those that it works well for those patients tend to see improvement in VAS scores for at least 4-6 months.
The idea behind these injections is that they will temporarily restore the natural function of the knee by injecting a substance which will provide cushioning and reduce bone-on-bone contact. Individual responses vary, but many patients experience months, if not potentially a year or more of relief.
Medicare will cover knee injections once every six months if they are medically necessary. The injections are covered under Medicare Part B and subject to the annual Part B deductible.
Side effects and risks
Hyaluronan injections have very few side effects. However, some people may have pain, stiffness or swelling in their joint after the injection. There's also a small risk of infection. If you notice any symptoms after the injection, tell the person treating you.
“Like any injection, it may seem more painful to some people than others, but there should not be a lot of pain since a sharp needle is used and the joint may be numbed first with a local anesthetic.”
Implantable shock absorber provides superior pain relief and functional improvement compared with high tibial osteotomy in patients with mild-to-moderate medial knee osteoarthritis: A 2-year report. Cartilage. Published online February 23, 2023.
Hyaluronic acid injections can lead to temporary pain, redness and swelling in the joint. Like all knee injections, hyaluronic acid injections can cause problems like infections in the joint, but that very rarely happens.
Cortisone injections for arthritis
Cortisone is the most commonly used injection. We know cortisone is a potent anti-inflammatory drug that reduces inflammation, swelling, and pain. Overall, studies show short-term improvement in knee pain after a cortisone injection.
As knee arthritis progresses, the knee becomes much looser and more unstable. In some cases, this is mild. In other cases, it is substantial enough that cause the patient to fall. Patients who have bone-on-bone arthritis and are starting to fall because of it should strongly consider surgery.
Do knee injections hurt? Receiving knee injections is similar to receiving any other kind of shot. There may be a slight pinch followed by mild discomfort, but overall the injection takes very little time and isn't very painful.
There's no cure for osteoarthritis, but the condition does not necessarily get any worse over time. There are a number of treatments to help relieve the symptoms. The main treatments for the symptoms of osteoarthritis include: lifestyle measures – such as maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly.
The answer: a resounding yes! In fact, people with knee osteoarthritis who walk for exercise are significantly less likely to go on to develop worse pain, according to a 2022 study published in Arthritis & Rheumatology.
Most people see pain lessening and their mobility improving for several months, often as much as 6 months. The key concern here is that the use of these knee injections has to be limited because of the medication within them. They can only be used 2 or 3 times a year for most people.
The people who do seem to respond best to hyaluronate knee injections are of normal weight and have only the beginning stages of osteoarthritis. The injections are most effective in people with just mild to moderate arthritis.
Viscosupplementation of joints other than the knee(s) will be considered not reasonable and necessary and will not be subject to coverage. Imaging procedures performed routinely for the purpose of visualization of the knee to provide guidance for needle placement will not be covered.