Gel shots are treatments that contain hyaluronic acid, which is a substance normally found in the knee. It works like a shock absorber and helps the joint move smoothly. People with osteoarthritis have less of this natural gel than they should.
Gel shots are used to add more hyaluronic acid when levels are low, which can help reduce pain and improve joint function.
That’s why this procedure is also called viscosupplementation. These treatments were once known as rooster comb injections because the hyaluronic acid used to come from processed chicken combs, which are the red growths on top of a chicken’s head. Now, most manufacturers get hyaluronic acid from bacterial cultures or other synthetic, botanical, or fermented methods.
After getting gel shots, some people find that their pain is reduced for several months.
Doctors usually inject hyaluronic acid into the knee with one to five shots, each given about a week apart. The injections can be repeated every six months or so. However, not everyone feels relief from this treatment.
Prolotherapy For The Knee
Prolotherapy is an knee injection singapore of a sugar water solution into knee joints that are damaged by osteoarthritis.
This solution is believed to act as an irritant, which may help the body’s natural healing process repair the joint. It may encourage cartilage growth, but it’s not clear exactly how this happens.
Prolotherapy is considered an alternative treatment.
It is not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Prolotherapy is typically given once a month for three to four months.
Some studies show that prolotherapy can reduce pain and improve function for people with osteoarthritis, but other studies suggest it may not be as effective as other treatments.
Since long-term studies are not available, it’s unclear how long the effects of this treatment might last.
Experimental Shots For Knee Pain
Researchers are also looking into other types of injections for knee pain.
(These treatments show promise but are not yet approved by the FDA for treating knee pain.)
Autologous Conditioned Serum
This treatment is similar to PRP and is made from a person’s own blood.
The blood sample is processed to increase the number of immune cells and growth factors that help repair tissue. It is injected into the knee in a series of four to six shots given over several weeks.
This treatment may help reduce inflammation and support the body’s ability to repair damaged cartilage.
Some studies suggest that autologous conditioned serum can help ease osteoarthritis pain and may assist in healing injuries like tendon or meniscus damage.
Stem Cell Knee Injections
Stem cells are naturally present in the human body.
These cells can become many different types of cells and are important for tissue repair. Some studies indicate that stem cell injections can reduce inflammation and support cells that produce cartilage in the knee.
The number of injections needed depends on the issue being treated.
So far, findings suggest that stem cell injections may relieve pain for up to 12 months or longer in people with osteoarthritis. Some evidence also suggests that stem cells could slow the progression of knee osteoarthritis, especially if treatment starts early in the disease. Researchers are also studying the effects of stem cell treatments on people with soft-tissue knee injuries.