According to New Orleans orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Meyer, the cartilage and fluid that protects and lubricates bones and joints can deteriorate over time in the knees, resulting in pain. Many patients suffering from this type of pain attempt to manage it through the use of medication or physical therapy, often with little or no relief. Some other patients choose to have knee replacement surgery.
Osteoarthritis is responsible for the collapse of cartilage, which decreases the protective space located between the bones. The deterioration advances over time, causing pain and permitting bones to rub together.
Your New Orleans orthopedic surgeon advises that osteoarthritis can occur in any joint, but is most commonly reported in the knees. Traditional medication typically only provides temporary relief for swelling and pain. However, in contrast, patients who receive the FDA-approved Supartz injections have reported longer-lasting relief.
Treatment Procedure?
The treatment procedure is made up of a series of injections to the knee that are given at one-week intervals. If needed, patients can repeat the series of injections after six months. But most patients report long-lasting results after completing the first series.
According to your New Orleans orthopedic surgeon, the entire procedure takes about 15 minutes. To prepare the area being treated, a numbing spray is applied to the injection site. Then, utilizing ultrasound technology, the doctor carefully and accurately injects the medication into the knee joint.
Patients have reported that the procedure is fairly painless and most insurance carriers will cover the treatment. The goal of the procedure is to relieve knee pain by making the cushion in the joint thicker in an effort to prevent bone rubbing against bone.
What does it Contain?
Supartz injections contain a substance already found in the body’s joints and joint cartilage called purified sodium hyaluronate. The injections include an all-natural compound, are minimally invasive, and are a viable alternative to knee surgery.
If you are interested in treatment for your knee pain and/or swelling, contact the office of New Orleans orthopedic surgeon Dr. Richard Meyer today to Schedule a Consultation. You don’t have to live in pain!