New Delhi, April 13: Dependence on frequent painkillers or knee replacement surgery to overcome pain due to arthritis or injury may soon become a thing of the past with many patients getting relief by a new single shot treatment.
The new ‘Viscosupplementation’ therapy provides six months pain relief with a single injection and is now being given to people with knee osteoarthritis who have not responded to traditional therapies such as oral anti-inflammatory or analgesic medications or exercise.
It is also considered for those who are trying to delay or simply are not interested in total knee replacement surgery.
“In just a single visit, patients suffering from osteoarthritis can experience clinically significant pain relief for up to six months which may potentially translate into a delay in the need for a total knee replacement for some,” according to Dr Gurinder Bedi, Orthopaedic Surgeon, Fortis Hospital.
Knee osteoarthritis is the most common type of osteoarthritis. India has the second largest osteoarthritis patient base – over 15 million with women forming a large chunk of this population.
Knee pain due to arthritis keeps on getting worse with age. Therefore, pain management of knee osteoarthritis symptoms becomes particularly important.
Explaining the way the therapy is administered, Dr Raju Vaishya, Orthopaedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon, Indraprastha Apollo Hospitals said, “Viscosupplementation is a local solution to a local problem, the shot being given directly into the knee under the kneecap.
“The process involves removing the diseased joint fluid and replacing it with a biological substance that mimics natural joint fluid. This supplements the elasticity and viscosity in the diseased knee joint, reducing pain and improving mobility”.
Experts believe the new therapy will reduce the overdependence on painkillers and steroids thereby reducing the side effects and the risk of developing ulcers and several gastric problems.
-Agencies