Patients who are not candidates for total knee replacement or who have failed previous knee surgery for their arthritis may candidates for injection of hyaluronic acid.

Hyaluronic acid products like Hyalgan and Synvisc mimic a naturally occurring body substance that lubricates the knee joint. They are usually injected directly into the joint to help provide temporary relief of pain and flexible joint movement.

Although study results are not definitive, data from trials suggests that improvement occurs in a significant number of patients.

The recommended injection schedule is one injection per week for five weeks for Hyalgan, and one injection per week for three weeks for Synvisc. A repeat of this process can be performed after six months.

No excessive weight-bearing physical activity should take place for one to two days following injection.

All information provided in this site is offered for educational purposes only, and it is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your own physician or healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.