Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease that most commonly affects the lower extremities’ large peripheral weight-bearing joints. OA is one of the leading causes of functional impairment in the United States, affecting an estimated 22.7 million individuals. It affects the quality of life by causing persistent pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility of the afflicted joints, as well as physical and/or mental co-morbidity.
HA is given to OA patients in one of (2) ways, by mouth or by local injection. Synvisc and Synvisc-One (Genzyme); Gel-One (Zimmer); Hyalgan (Fidia); Spartz FX (Bioventus); Orthovisc (Anika); Euflexxa (Savient); Monovisc (Anika Therapeutics) and Gel-Syn (Institute Biochimique SA) are some of the injectable HA formulations available for #kneearthritis treatment. They differ in many ways including: molecular weight/structure (linear, cross-linked or both), source (animal vs bacterial bio-fermentation ofmodified organisms), crosslinking methods, #injection volume (0.5-6.0 mL), concentration (0.8-30 mg/mL) and posology. For many years, animal source was regarded a conventional source, but modified bacterial source is now the primary source (with cheaper costs/fewer adverse effects). The pain relieving action of the injected HA is assumed to be produced through a number of different mechanisms that include: increasing extracellular matrix protein synthesis, modifying inflammatory mediators to prevent degradation, limiting lymphocyte motility, and preserving cartilage thickness, area and surface smoothness #kneepainrelief #kneeinjections
