Durolane® Single-injection Knee Treatment
Durolane is a transparent, sterile, viscoelastic hydrogel approved for the treatment of pain in osteoarthritis of the knee. In Durolane, hyaluronan strands have unique cross-linking and are attached to each other through dimmers of cinnamic acid that results in increased viscoelasticity. This helps to relieve pain and improves the functioning of the knee.
Hyaluronan is found in synovial joints naturally in high amounts. it acts like a shock absorber and lubricant in the joint for it to function properly.
A highly purified 3 ml single injection, Durolane delivers a complete treatment. Durolane offers the following benefits.
- Safe & effective treatment
- Single-injection with fewer office visits
- Supplement the cushioning and lubrication in the knee joint
How Durolane works
Durolane is a transparent gel made from sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronan). This substance is naturally occurring in synovial joints, as it acts as a lubricant and shock absorber.
One study found that hyaluronic acid injections provide pain relief from osteoarthritis for up to 26 weeks. The effect could last for one year.
The term viscosupplementation, or knee shot, refers to treating osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee with direct injection of sodium hyaluronate. This technique relieves OA-associated pain.
While there are several forms of viscosupplementation in the U.S. market, Durolane offers a convenient single injection with only 3 mL. On the other hand, other brands require larger doses and multiple injections, which may be quite inconvenient.
In general, one therapeutic session (1 injection) may be enough to relieve your symptoms for up to one year.
Durolane’s unique cross-linked structure showed greater viscoelasticity among other brands, which leads to better durability and resistance. This product is simply more resistant to breakdown than other HA solutions.
Procedure:
Apply antiseptic or local anesthesia if needed to the knee joint. Access the knee joint space via the soft palpable anterolateral port placed lateral to the inferior pole of the patella. Remove the joint effusion via an 18-20 gauge needle prior to gel injection. Remove the syringe tip and secure the needle tightly. Twist the tip cap to minimize leakage and then inject 3 ml of gel into the knee joint. A separate syringe is used if you are administering the gel injections for both knees.
In summary, here are the potential benefits of gel injections with hyaluronic acid:
- HA possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidative properties that combat the buildup of harmful chemicals inside the joint.
- By increasing the joint’s natural abilities to regenerate, HA can be an effective substance at decreasing the pain from osteoarthritis.
- HA lubricates the synovial fluid and helps it restore its natural properties, which reduces the impact of friction and osteolysis (i.e., bone destruction).
What does the procedure involve?
In general, you can receive a gel injection at the doctor’s office. The procedure only takes a few minutes.
Your doctor will place the affected joint in position while using an ultrasound to guide the needle to the best location.
Here are the steps to expect during this procedure:
- Cleaning the skin around the skin and applying local anesthesia
- Inserting the needle into your joint
- Injecting HA inside your joint
While you may feel some discomfort when the needle gets inserted, the procedure is not painful. In addition to injecting HA, your doctor may remove a small amount of your synovial fluid to reduce intraarticular pressure.
Once the fluid is removed, it’s time to inject the HA solution.
Recovery from the procedure
Receiving an HA injection will not affect your ability to walk. Usually, you can go home briefly after receiving the treatment.
Here are some tips to optimize your recovery:
- Avoid strenuous activity for the next 24 hours
- Do not go swimming
- Avoid hot tubs
- Do not expose yourself to substances or solutions that may cause your joint to get infected through the needle track (it generally closes up within 24 hours)
- Take OTC painkillers to reduce discomfort
When can I expect pain relief?
Naturally, every patient responds differently to hyaluronic acid injections. Depending on factors, such as your medical history, the severity of pain, and other factors, you can experience different rates of pain relief.
According to one study, researchers found that the average person reports significant pain relief in as little as 3 weeks after getting the Gel-One injection.
Hyaluronic acid side effects
Side effects of hyaluronic acid include:
- Pain
- Redness
- Itching
- Swelling
- Bruising
The side effects listed above are usually the result of the injection itself rather than the hyaluronic acid solution.
Once your joint absorbs the substance, you may experience the typical side effects of an allergy. According to research, a hyaluronic acid-mediated allergic reaction is quite rare; however, individuals with a medical history of severe hypersensitivity reactions and anaphylaxis must be cautious before getting the injection. These reactions are less common with a stable molecule like that found in gel-one.
Hyaluronic acid can also interfere with wound healing, which gets mediated by fibroblasts and collagen fibers. According to one study, applying HA topically slows down the process of wound healing compared to using pure glycerin.
One extremely rare side effect is pseudosepsis, which describes a set of symptoms that resemble an infected joint. Such symptoms might include fever, severe pain, and inability to ambulate. If this occurs, call your physician to make sure that your symptoms do not warrant further emergent workup.
Additionally, using HA during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not confirmed to be safe. Therefore, women should avoid getting HA injections during these times.
Takeaway message
Hyaluronic acid is a common substance used in different pain relief products.
Hopefully, this article managed to shed some light on the potential uses of hyaluronic acid in relieving joint pain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-ENVDMzMJ4
If you still have any unanswered questions about HA, please don’t hesitate to set up a consult with Dr. Morton today!
