Dry statistics show that every fifth resident suffers from a joint disease on the planet, among them about twenty million Russians. Dystrophic articular changes (osteochondrosis, arthrosis and others) are accompanied by dehydration and destruction of cartilage tissue. One of the most important components that make up connective tissue and are contained in human biological fluids is hyaluronic acid. For joints, this natural substance can be a real salvation, as it helps to increase mobility and reduce pain.
A 100% substitute for the natural synovial fluid in human joints - hyaluronic acid - increases its viscosity, participates in the nutrition and restoration of the structure of hyaline cartilage, and also improves the sliding (even almost destroyed) of cartilage structures in the shoulder, hip and knee joints, facilitating human movement. How does this happen?
Healthy and diseased joints: the importance of hyaluronic acid preparations
The structure of a healthy joint includes bone surfaces covered with whole hyaline cartilage, a synovial membrane lining the walls of the joint capsule from the inside, as well as a synovial fluid that lubricates the joint surfaces and, due to its viscoelastic properties, is shock absorbing during movement. The hyaline cartilage covering the bone tissue receives nutrition from the underlying layers, as well as from the synovial fluid. In healthy joints, it has an elastic and dense structure, the fluid washing it lubricates the surface and thereby greatly facilitates the sliding of bones inside the joints.
In patients with osteoarthritis, as well as in people over the age of 50, synovial fluid loses its lubricating and protective properties. Its amount in articular tissues decreases sharply.
Cartilage tissue loses its dense structure, the friction of the articular surfaces intensifies and leads to inflammatory processes in nearby areas and the appearance of pain. Hyaluronic acid for joints performs the same function as synovial fluid, as it is considered an excellent alternative - a “liquid prosthesis” - as doctors call it.
The use of hyaluronic acid preparations for joints
The number of intraarticular injections, due to which drugs with hyaluronate are injected into the cavity located next to the affected hyaline cartilage, depends on the severity of the disease, the degree of tissue damage and is 3-5 injections per course. The courses are also repeated as prescribed by the doctor: after six months or a year. Hyaluronic acid preparations for joints are introduced both in a hospital and in clinics. If the joints are not affected too much, then doctors can allow the patient not to change the usual rhythm of life, but it is advisable to reduce the load on the knee or shoulder joint during treatment.
Hyaluronic acid injections in case of symptoms of tissue inflammation: swelling, fever in the joint area, increased pain and inability to bend the knee should be postponed until these signs are eliminated. This is due to a profuse intraarticular effusion, which dilutes the preparations of hyaluronic acid for the joints so much that their effectiveness is noticeably reduced. After the inflammatory process, due to the course of corticosteroids, subsides, the use of hyaluronic acid can give a more pronounced therapeutic result.
Hyaluronic acid (joint injections): what is the effect?
Intra-articular administration of hyaluronate-based drugs affects three main painful processes in the joints: increasing viscosity and the amount of synovial fluid, hyaluronic acid helps reduce friction of the surfaces of the joint and increase its cushioning properties when moving; it enhances the nutrition of chondrocyte cells and provides the regeneration of hyaline cartilage; prevents inflammatory processes and reduces the severity of their symptoms.
Thus,
hyaluronic acid for joints is an excellent way to reduce the symptoms of arthrosis and improve the quality of life. This safe gel implant reduces the load on the joint, nourishes the cartilage tissue and forms a natural prosthesis identical to human synovial fluid.
Types of drugs with hyaluronic acid for joints
Treatment of dystrophic-degenerative lesions in the joints of patients with injections of preparations containing hyaluronate began in the 70s of the last century. The drug was called Hyaluronic Acid. For the treatment of joints affected by deforming arthrosis, it was very suitable, because it was a safe alternative to the surgical method and significantly improved the quality of life of patients.
The most common drugs in pharmacies today are Ostenil (including Ostenil Mini and Ostenil Plus), as well as Sinokrom and Sinokrom Forte from Germany and Austria, Fermatron (Fermatron S and Fermatron Plus ") - from the UK," Suplazin "- from Ireland. Less common are such popular drugs as Adant (Japan), ViscoPlus (Sweden), Viscosil (Germany), Gialgan Phidia (Italy), Gialual Artro (Ukraine), Giallux and Giruan Plus ”(South Korea),“ Dyuralan Es Jay ”and“ Sinvisk ”(USA). Of the domestic preparations, “Giastat” (Tula) and “Intraject Gialoform” (Toscani Moscow laboratory) are isolated. Preparations for the replacement of articular fluid, which contain
sodium hyaluronate, are solutions that are available in disposable syringes.
The cost of drugs with hyaluronic acid for joints
Most of the above drugs can be purchased at pharmacies. However, judging by the reviews, hyaluronic acid for joints (especially foreign production) is not an expensive pleasure. At a price, the drug varies from three to five thousand rubles per syringe. A significant share in this amount is brand awareness. The cost of Russian drugs in this category is lower by about a third. In addition, the procedure will have to pay an average of 500-1000 rubles (shoulder and knee joints), and for problems with the hip - up to 1500 rubles. So, for example, one intraarticular injection with the drug “Giallux” is offered for 4750 rubles. If you take into account that such injections per course need to be done from three to five (depending on the condition of the joints), then the total amount can significantly facilitate the patient’s personal or family budget. However, an alternative to such treatment is an expensive and unsafe joint replacement surgery, so many people prefer the timely use of drugs with hyaluronate.
Hyaluronic acid: reviews
For joints, liquid implants in the form of a hydrogel with hyaluronidase bring significant benefits. Therefore, all opinions and comments from both rheumatologists and ordinary patients on the network are extremely positive.
Many of them advise not to save on the quality of drugs, because not only the outcome of the procedure depends on it, but also the further health of the joints. Foreign drugs are praised for the instant effect. Hyaluronic acid for the knee joint is administered intraarticularly once a week on an outpatient basis. Reviews of most patients indicate the appearance of a slight swelling after the injection, due to the injected volume of hyaluronic acid. Within a day or two, the appearance of the joint takes on its usual form.
Tip
In addition to the quality of the drug, the interlocutors on the forums recommend paying attention also to the qualifications of the doctor and the reputation of the clinic. After treatment with a drug with hyaluronic acid, in their opinion, long-term relief is felt. A full active life with walks, favorite sports and travels becomes available again!