According to Scali (1995), 88% of patients who underwent Hyalgan repeat treatments were satisfied with the lasting improvement they received. Hyalgan treatment offers symptomatic relief from the pain associated with knee osteoarthritis, simultaneously improving joint function and mobility.
Treating knee osteoarthritis (OA) with hyaluronic acid injections has gained recognition as a non-surgical, safe, and effective solution. This approach alleviates pain, enabling individuals to resume their physical activities. Among the available brand-name options, Hyalgan stands out for its five-injection therapy regimen. This makes it a preferred choice for many seeking long-term symptom management.
This article will explore Hyalgan hyaluronic acid injections, their indications, and recommended dosage and administration for a safe treatment process.
Key Takeaways
- Hyalgan boasts over 100 clinical trials worldwide, proving its safety and efficacy in addressing knee OA concerns.
- While Hyalgan’s hyaluronic acid injections are generally safe for most individuals, there are contraindications that medical professionals should strictly adhere to.
- Providers must administer Hyalgan’s 2 mL solution via intra-articular injection and aseptic technique into the knee joint.
- The number of injections required and dosing regimens may depend on the individual’s condition and response to the therapy.
- Like other treatments, patients may experience mild to moderate side effects after Hyalgan injections.
- After Hyalgan injections, medical professionals must closely monitor their patients and should educate them on how to observe their treatment progress and potential side effects.
Indications and Usage of Hyalgan Injections
While severe cases of knee osteoarthritis (OA) may require surgical interventions, individuals with mild to moderate cases can undergo Hyalgan’s hyaluronic acid injections. Hyalgan offers treatment for knee OA in patients who have failed to respond to first-line therapies, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and physical therapy.
OA is a common form of arthritis that may affect the knees, shoulders, ankles, or hands. Those individuals with OA may feel joint pain, stiffness, swelling, and mobility issues. This degenerative joint disease may affect people’s quality of life and active lifestyles, requiring medical attention to relieve the symptoms.
So, do hyaluronic acid injections work? Hyalgan boasts over 100 clinical trials worldwide, proving its safety and efficacy in addressing knee OA concerns. According to a clinical study, Hyalgan injections reduced pain in five repeated treatment cycles at 30 months. Moreover, it also showed lasting relief for six months and significant pain relief scores compared to placebo.
Contraindications of Hyalgan Injections
While Hyalgan’s hyaluronic acid injections are generally safe for most individuals, there are contraindications that medical professionals should strictly adhere to. These contraindications can ensure a safe and effective treatment for individuals who wish to receive Hyalgan injections.
- Hypersensitivity to Hyaluronate Preparations: Patients with known allergies to hyaluronate products should not receive Hyalgan injections to avoid potential severe reactions.
- Infections or Skin Diseases at the Injection Site: The presence of infections or skin diseases at the injection area contraindicates using Hyalgan, as it may lead to further complications.
Furthermore, the safety and effectiveness of Hyalgan have not been established in children, pregnant women, or breastfeeding women.
Dosage and Administration
In every Hyalgan treatment, individuals must seek a medical professional to administer these injections. They should administer Hyalgan by intra-articular injection into the affected knee joint. Moreover, Hyalgan may have recommended dosing instructions, but providers can adjust them to align with the patient’s needs and conditions.
- Recommended Dosing Regimen: A typical Hyalgan treatment consists of five injections at weekly intervals. 2 mL of the solution must be injected into each knee joint, with a separate syringe on each. Hyalgan also offers three-injection therapy, so it’s best to consult with your trusted doctor about the best treatment.
- Injection Technique and Site: Hyalgan hyaluronic acid injection must be injected directly into the knee joint. The prescribing information of Hyalgan strictly requires an aseptic administration technique to avoid infections at the injection site.
Patient Selection Criteria
So, are Hyalgan injections painful? Medical professionals may apply topical numbing cream to lessen patients’ discomfort during injection. Moreover, Hyalgan mainly benefits patients with early to moderate knee osteoarthritis conditions. Medical professionals may recommend Hyalgan to patients who have not found relief through nonpharmacologic therapy and simple analgesics.
The number of injections required and dosing regimens may depend on the individual’s condition and response to the therapy. A tailored treatment plan allows healthcare providers to align Hyalgan’s benefits to patients’ needs, goals, conditions, and health.
- Elderly Patients: Older individuals can benefit from Hyalgan therapy but may need adjustments due to age-related changes in drug metabolism.
- Athletes: Hyalgan can provide significant and lasting pain relief to athlete patients. However, it’s necessary to rest the knee after the injection before returning to their active lifestyle. Moreover, combining Hyalgan with regular exercise can help in maintaining the effects.
Special Populations Eligible for Hyalgan Treatments
How does Hyalgan injection work? Its hyaluronic acid (HA) injections only target the affected joint, not the whole body. When injected into the affected knee joint, Hyalgan works as a lubricant and shock absorber for the joints, allowing pain-free movement and improving joint function.
The HA substance is naturally found in the body, making it a safe solution for patients with comorbidities. However, to avoid severe complications, it’s essential to note Hyalgan’s contraindications in patients. Medical professionals can help individuals achieve safe and effective Hyalgan therapy.
Hyalgan offers a well-tolerated solution that even older individuals can opt for this treatment. Over 14,000 patients have undergone clinical trials in which Hyalgan demonstrated its safety and efficacy for adults over time. However, patients must consult their trusted doctors to adjust Hyalgan’s treatment frequency and dosage based on the older patients’ condition.
Precautions and Warnings
Like other treatments, patients may experience mild to moderate side effects after Hyalgan injections. These side effects only last temporarily and may subside once the body adjusts to the medicine. However, if these persist, patients must seek medical attention immediately to avoid further complications.
- Pain at the injection site
- Swelling of the knee
Hyalgan also revealed several common adverse effects that may occur after treatment. These rarely happen, but when patients experience them, they must seek medical attention from their trusted doctors.
- Injection-site pain
- Gastrointestinal complaints
- Headache
- Local ecchymosis (bruising) and rash
- Local joint pain and swelling
- Local pruritus (itching)
After Hyalgan injections, medical professionals must closely monitor their patients and should educate them on how to observe their treatment progress and potential side effects. Regular follow-up appointments allow healthcare providers to evaluate the patient’s progress and make necessary adjustments to the treatment plan.
After treatment, patients should avoid strenuous activities within 48 hours of the intra-articular injection. Applying ice for a short time can help with pain and swelling at the injection site. Healthcare providers may also give specific instructions for post-treatment care.
Conclusion
Hyalgan is known for its five-injection therapy for treating knee osteoarthritis (OA) pain and symptoms. This therapy requires intra-articular injections into the knee joint, typically five shots given weekly. This treatment has shown safety and efficacy in various clinical trials worldwide.
Its contraindications must be strictly adhered to to avoid further patient health complications. Potential risks and adverse reactions may also occur, which healthcare providers can significantly help with. Hyalgan is suitable for older individuals, patients with comorbidities, and athletes as long as medical professionals supervise and administer the treatment.
References
- Clinical Studies – Hyalgan for Healthcare Professionals. (n.d.). Hyalgan for Healthcare Professionals; Hyalgan. https://hcp.hyalgan.com/hcp/clinical-studies/
- Labeling Hyalgan (Sodium Hyaluronate). (n.d.). hcp.hyalgan; Hyalgan. https://hcp.hyalgan.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2021/04/684073-F-HYALGAN-Med.-Fronte-Fidia-USA4.pdf
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