Chondroprotectors for joints: which one to choose

Injections in the knee for arthrosis of the knee joint: advantages and disadvantages

Among the advantages of such injections, the quick effect should be highlighted. Pain relief occurs immediately after administration and the person feels much lighter. And the drug immediately gets to the damaged area in the joint.

Disadvantages include individual intolerance to drugs and the likelihood of infection in the joint during the procedure.

The interval between injections for arthrosis of the knee joint is from 3 to 10 days, and the course of treatment can include from 1 to 5 injections, depending on the stage of the disease.

Anatomy and physiology of the joint

The joint consists of several parts: articular surfaces, capsule, cavity. The fluid inside the joint is a lubricant. There is a soft sliding of surfaces.

Types of joint structures are divided according to the principle:

• When 2 bones connect, it is a “simple” joint.
• Complex articulation of two or three surfaces, for example, the knee joint.

Joints vary in shape and function.

The surfaces of the bone entering the joint are covered with hyaline cartilage. Healthy cartilage is smooth, quite elastic, and strong. Capable of absorbing fluid (synovium) and releasing it back. Synovia prevents surface wear.

The capsule is represented by connective tissue and performs the function of protection, secretion of synovial fluid, the inner side is formed by a membrane.

Inside the joints are located:

• Cartilage;
• Discs or menisci;
• Ligaments.

Cartilage: the basis of mobility. Thanks to them, smooth movements are possible. The basis of cartilage tissue is chondrocytes. Located in connective tissue fibers. Consist of glycosaminoglycans, collagen and hyaluronic acid. Chondrocytes are capable of synthesizing these substances.

In case of injuries, connective tissue pathology, rheumatoid processes, injuries, inflammation is activated. Mediators are released into the blood - substances that act destructively on cartilage elements; by the way, NSAIDs can also act destructively.

As a result, the joint ceases to perform functions, and the motor amplitude is impaired. An inflammatory reaction occurs inside, swelling and hyperemia visually appear. The person feels pain.

To preserve cartilage and restore, it is recommended to take special products, Chondroprotectors (translated as “joint protectors”).

What injections are given in the knee joint for arthrosis?

The following drugs are used for injections into the knee joint for arthrosis:

• Corticosteroid hormones - used by injection to relieve symptoms of severe acute pain, relieve swelling or remove synovitis;
• Chondroprotectors are drugs consisting of elements of articular cartilage - chondroitin, glucosamine or hyaluronic acid. With their help, metabolism improves and joint mobility improves. The drugs act as a lubricant for the joint. Among the disadvantages, it should be noted that injections with such drugs are relatively expensive. Here are some drugs that are used for injections for arthrosis of the knee joint: Fermatron, Sinokrom, Sinvisk, etc.
• Homeopathic remedies also have a beneficial effect on the disease, improve metabolism in joint tissues;
• Orthoplasma - cartilage restoration technology or joint plasmolifting - is the only method capable of stimulating the regeneration of articular cartilage.

Treatment of the knee joint with injections for arthrosis at the Stoparthrosis clinic

At the Stoparthrosis clinic, an examination is required before prescribing and administering injections. This helps to make an accurate diagnosis and select the necessary treatment.

You can always find out the prices for injections in the knee joint to combat arthrosis and get more detailed information about how this procedure is done on our website. See also how a knee block is performed

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Author of the article:

Kholikov Timur Vyacheslavovich

Orthopedist

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Recent publications by the author:

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Injections of hyaluronic acid into the joint

If you feel stiffness in your movements in the morning or severe pain in the joint, you should urgently see a doctor who will conduct an examination. Treatment in this case is necessary. At home, it is better not to experiment, but to immediately seek help from specialists.

It is important to understand that arthrosis cannot be completely cured, since the disease is irreversible. You can only slow down its development.

Hyaluronic acid injections are considered one of the most effective methods, and this has been repeatedly proven through many clinical studies.

How does this treatment affect the joints?

Hyaluronic acid is important for human organs because it is a component of them. Thanks to it, they are flexible, but at the same time quite durable. There is approximately 15 g of acid in our body, and, interestingly, every day one third of it is reconstructed.

In older people, the number of cells that can participate in the synthesis of hyaluronic acid often decreases. Due to its lack in the synovial fluid, tissue thinning occurs and wrinkles appear. This can lead to a number of diseases, for example, signs of deforming arthrosis of the joints will appear.

Hyaluronic acid acts as a conductor. Hyaline cartilage covers the articular surfaces of the joints; there are no blood vessels in this place; they are replaced by synovial fluid. Thus, it carries out all metabolic processes. The acid in the synovial fluid enters the middle of the cartilage, thereby reducing the friction force between other articular surfaces of the joint. This is what protects the joint from destruction and injury.

There is very little fluid in the joint, and with the development of various diseases, such as arthrosis, it can completely disappear from the cartilage cavity, in which case it is very easy to damage. The consequences can be different, for example, degenerative changes in the knee, severe pain or joint deformation. In this situation, it may lose its functions.

To prevent this from happening, the joint needs to be “nourished” using various methods. Injections directly into the joint are also called liquid prosthesis. Injecting hyaluronic acid into the knee will help increase its concentration in the joint, it will take on the functions of the lacking synovial fluid, promote the removal of unnecessary and toxic metabolic products, increase the mobility of the knee, and help eliminate pain in people suffering from arthrosis.

Why injections?

There are many different methods for providing acid to joints:

• ointments and gels;
• capsules or tablets;
• solutions for intra-articular injections.

Why is the latter method the most effective and popular among doctors?

Firstly, the medicine does not make its way through the digestive system, which is why most of it is destroyed, but immediately gets to the right place in maximum concentration.

Secondly, this method has been proven to be the most effective; the effect in other dosage forms has not been scientifically studied.

When is it better to start a course of treatment, the most effective period

Hyaluronic acid can be used at all stages. Of course, the greatest effect will be in the first and second stages of a disease such as knee arthrosis

, when the cartilage is not yet completely destroyed and there is something to restore. At the third stage of the disease, this is not effective, there will only be a short-term effect, because the cartilage tissue is no longer there and there is nothing to restore, in this case the patient can only be helped by surgical intervention, namely knee replacement.

Contraindications and side effects

It is prohibited to administer the medicine in the following cases:

• the patient is allergic to the drug;
• the integrity of the skin at the injection site is compromised;
• there is a rash;
• if there is an active inflammatory process;
• childhood and pregnancy;
• in case of acute infectious disease;
• if you have blood diseases;
• elevated temperature;
• the presence of a mental illness.

Injections with hyaluronic acid are usually easily accepted by the body, provided that the procedure is performed correctly. But sometimes complications and side effects appear:

• pain in soft tissues at the injection site due to damage from the needle;
• allergic reaction;
• feeling of itching, burning, swelling at the injection site;
• development of hemarthrosis due to bleeding.

Features of the use of solutions for intra-articular injections

Need to remember! All preparations with hyaluronic acid are quickly destroyed in the joint if there is an inflammatory process. Therefore, the injection is ineffective in case of exacerbation of arthrosis with signs of reactive synovitis. Injections should be given only in the remission stage of gonarthrosis.

From all of the above, we can conclude that it is impossible to quickly get rid of pain and inflammation in this way, but a course of injections will greatly improve the function of the joint, slow down the progression of arthrosis and reduce the number of possible pathologies, which will significantly alleviate the patient’s condition. It is important to understand that injections with hyaluronic acid work for the long term, and not for an immediate result.

Clinical studies have shown that the administration of the drug helps to delay the necessary surgery, and often avoid it.

If the injections are performed correctly, they are painless and are not accompanied by side effects, but you must follow all the doctor’s recommendations.

The course consists of 3-4 injections into each joint, the minimum interval between injections is 1-2 weeks.
You can repeat the course only after 1-1.5 years. Author: K.M.N., Academician of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences M.A. Bobyr

Prices for intra-articular injections

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What are chondroprotectors?

Chondroprotectors are divided by composition and generations.

The composition of each drug is different. Medicines are produced on the basis of chondroitis sulfate, mucopolysaccharides, glucosamine, and their combinations.

If the active substance is chondroitin sulfate, destructive processes in cartilage are prevented. Activates the secretion of intra-articular fluid, reduces the inflammatory reaction and pain.

Sometimes the products consist of bone marrow or animal cartilage.

Medicines whose active ingredient is glucosamine are often used. It improves the elasticity and strength of cartilage, slows down destructive processes in cartilage tissue;

A drug containing several active components is quite effective. Products containing, in addition to a chondroprotector, an anti-inflammatory component, have a complex effect.

According to the time of appearance of chondroprotective drugs in medicine, there is a division:

• First;
• Second;
• Third generation.

Conventionally, the latest generation is the most advanced and modern. This includes, for example, Artra® - this is a combination drug containing high concentrations of chondroitin and glucosamine.

When they talk about chondroprotectors, they are divided according to the method of administration. Available in the form of tablets and injections. There are dosage forms that replace synovial fluid when it is deficient. The doctor determines how to use the product.

For the acute form of the disease, injections are suitable, possibly into the affected joint, since the active substance is delivered faster, but there are risks due to the high comorbidity of patients and unnecessary trauma is unnecessary. When the inflammatory process subsides and during remission, tablets and capsules are used for oral administration. At any time, you can use ointments and gels locally on the affected area, which can be classified as distracting procedures, since there is no systemic effect (local remedies are essentially an effect on the receptors of the skin, but the problem is much deeper)

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What are chondroprotectors

Unique products in this group protect articular cartilage. Regular, course intake is a good prevention of pathology. The use of chondroprotectors can prevent cartilage damage and restore it in case of disease.

The effect of the chondroprotector group is due to glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate. Each component has properties that have a beneficial effect on the joint.

Glucosamine is a natural component of healthy cartilage, under the influence of which substances of cartilage tissue are synthesized. It will protect against peroxidation, free radicals and other destructive effects on cartilage. In case of pathology - anti-edematous effect, reduces the inflammatory process of joints.

Chondroitin sulfate is a stimulator of the formation of cartilage substances: glycosaminoglycans, proteoglycans, collagen, hylauronic acid. Protects cartilage from destruction. Under the influence of chondroitin sulfate, the production of synovial fluid inside the joints is stimulated. In case of arthritis, it reduces the inflammatory process.

A good chondroprotector protects a complex or simple joint from destruction in case of pathology, and helps the structures recover.

Chondroprotectors are different: monocomponent or combined. With simultaneous exposure to chondroitin sulfate and glycosaminoglycan, complete restoration of cartilage tissue occurs.

Receiving treatment with these drugs is often necessary.