Not Ready for a Knee Replacement? Viscosupplementation Might Help

Knee replacement surgery can be life-changing for people living with severe knee pain. But sometimes, you’re just not ready. You might need to lose weight, take time off work, or figure out how to pay for it. Whatever the reason, if you’re delaying surgery, your biggest concern is probably how to manage the pain and stay mobile in the meantime.

At RMH Orthopedics, there’s a treatment that may help: viscosupplementation.

Viscosupplementation is a simple procedure where a doctor injects hyaluronic acid into your knee joint. This acid is a natural part of the fluid that cushions your knee. When you have arthritis, that fluid can break down, causing pain as bones rub together. By adding more cushioning fluid, viscosupplementation helps your knee move more smoothly and with less pain.

It’s not a permanent fix, and it doesn’t work for everyone. But for many patients, it’s a great way to reduce pain while waiting for knee replacement surgery. In fact, some patients experience relief for up to seven months after the injection. And when repeated every six months, it can delay surgery for an average of three and a half years.

If you’re not quite ready for surgery, viscosupplementation could be a helpful option to buy time and improve your quality of life.