Knee pain is a common concern, particularly for individuals experiencing osteoarthritis, a condition where the protective cartilage at the ends of bones wears down over time. This degeneration can lead to discomfort, stiffness, and reduced mobility in the knee joint. As people seek ways to manage these symptoms, treatments like gel shots, also known as viscosupplementation, have become an option. This approach involves injecting a substance directly into the knee to potentially alleviate pain and improve function, offering a non-surgical avenue for relief.
Understanding Viscosupplementation
Viscosupplementation injections, commonly known as gel shots, involve introducing hyaluronic acid into the knee joint. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring, thick, gel-like substance found in various body tissues, including the eyes, skin, and joints. It serves as a primary component of synovial fluid, which is the natural lubricant and shock absorber present in healthy joints. In individuals with osteoarthritis, the concentration and quality of this natural hyaluronic acid within the synovial fluid can decrease, contributing to increased friction and pain. The viscosupplementation procedure aims to supplement this diminished fluid, restoring some of the joint’s natural properties, and these injections are typically administered in a doctor’s office, often as a series of shots over several weeks, though some formulations allow for a single injection.
How Gel Shots Provide Relief
Hyaluronic acid acts as a lubricant and shock absorber in healthy joints, allowing smooth movement and cushioning. When natural hyaluronic acid is depleted in osteoarthritis, friction and pain increase. By supplementing the joint, these injections enhance lubrication and cushioning, reducing mechanical stress. Beyond these mechanical effects, hyaluronic acid may also possess anti-inflammatory properties, potentially reducing the production of inflammatory substances within the joint. Some research suggests it might also play a role in promoting the growth and development of joint cartilage, although this effect is still under evaluation.
Patient Selection and Expected Outcomes
Gel shots are typically considered for individuals with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis who have not found sufficient relief from more conservative treatments, such as physical therapy, weight management, and oral pain relievers like acetaminophen or NSAIDs. The injections are not a cure for osteoarthritis but rather a method to manage symptoms and potentially improve joint function. The duration of pain relief from viscosupplementation can vary, with many patients reporting benefits lasting several months, commonly around six months, or even longer. While some might feel improvement within a few days or weeks, the full effect can take several weeks to become noticeable, especially if a series of injections is administered. These treatments can help delay the need for knee replacement surgery in some cases.
Considerations and Potential Side Effects
While generally considered safe, viscosupplementation injections do carry potential side effects, which are usually mild and temporary. The most common reactions at the injection site include mild pain, swelling, warmth, and redness, typically subsiding within a few days; applying ice can help alleviate these symptoms. Less common but more serious side effects can occur, such as an “injection flare” (increased pain and swelling due to fluid accumulation in the joint) in about 1% of patients. In very rare instances, a “pseudoseptic reaction” can occur, mimicking an infection with severe redness and swelling, though it is not caused by bacteria. Allergic reactions and joint infections are also rare but possible complications, and the effectiveness of these injections can vary, meaning not all individuals will experience significant relief.