Knee osteoarthritis is an incredibly common condition, but luckily, that means a lot of treatments have been developed to help people deal with it. But not all treatments are made equal; for example, if you want to delay surgery as much as possible, an arthrosamid injection may be a better option than a corticosteroid injection. In their guide to knee osteoarthritis treatments, MSK Doctors goes over the details of each option and why you may want to choose one over the other.
Knee OA is Far Too Common
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative musculoskeletal condition that affects millions of people worldwide. The condition develops when protective cartilage cushioning the joints wears down, leading to pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. The knee is the most common body part to be affected by osteoarthritis, with the World Health Organization estimating that over 365 million individuals suffer from the condition.
A number of standard treatments for knee osteoarthritis are available, including over-the-counter medications, physiotherapy, and joint replacement surgery. MSK Doctors says that many patients also turn to knee injections for pain relief, among which corticosteroid injections are a common choice.
However, arthrosamid injections are emerging as an additional long-term non-surgical treatment option due to promising results from many clinical trials.
Arthrosamid Injections vs. Traditional Treatments
With arthrosamid, MSK Doctors’ guide says that a synthetic hydrogel is injected into the knee joint, where it permanently fuses with the synovial membrane and provides cushioning and support for the joint, effectively addressing the mechanical cause of pain and stiffness.
Because the hydrogel is non-biodegradable, it remains attached to the joint, offering longer-lasting relief compared to corticosteroid injections, which only provide patients with temporary inflammation reduction.
Longer-lasting relief means you won’t have to get injections as frequently, which can save you lots of money over the long term – and also your sanity, if you happen to be afraid of needles.
Additionally, prolonged use of corticosteroids and NSAIDs can lead to gastrointestinal issues and joint degradation, whereas arthrosamid is inert and poses little risk of side effects.
As an injection, arthrosamid is also much less invasive, making it a viable option for individuals who want to avoid surgery. Moreover, the nature of the treatment results in less recovery time, allowing patients to return to their daily lives more quickly. Basically, it’s a great choice to consider if you really want to avoid going under the knife. (Who wouldn’t?)
Consider Your Options Carefully
However, MSK Doctors’ guide notes that most traditional treatments can be used to address various stages of osteoarthritis, whereas arthrosamid is more beneficial for individuals with moderate osteoarthritis. So before you dive in knee-first, you should definitely contact your healthcare provider to determine which treatment is most appropriate for your condition.
Of course, you can always contact MSK Doctors for more information as well. Their orthopaedic surgeons are experts at treating musculoskeletal conditions, and, well, they’re the ones who authored the guide in the first place, so they’ll know exactly what’s best for you.
Visit https://mskdoctors.com/ to get started.
Comments are closed.