Supartz Injections For Knees

When you have chronic knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, it impacts pretty much everything you do. Shopping at the grocery, taking the dog for a walk around the block, or even walking up the stairs in your house — everything hurts. And it is likely your knee pain is keeping you from doing many of the things you formerly enjoyed, such as hiking or morning runs. Thankfully, Supartz injections for knees Woodstock GA is a revolutionary treatment that can offer pain relief. Supartz injection is a therapy that is used to treat symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. The Supartz solution is injected directly into the knee joint to restore the cushioning and lubricating properties of the synovial fluid (joint fluid). Supartz, a solution of sodium hyaluronate, is one of the hyaluronates used in viscosupplementation, which is another name for these injections. The sodium hyaluronate used in Supartz is extracted from chicken combs. Sodium hyaluronate is a polysaccharide (a type of sugar molecule) that contains glucuronic acid (which helps eliminate toxins) and N-acetylglucosamine (which has anti-inflammatory properties). Sodium hyaluronate, the fluid used in Supartz injections, is present naturally in healthy joints as a shock absorber and lubricant. When your joints don’t produce enough hyaluronate, it can cause stiffness and pain. Supartz injections put the fluid back into your knee joint, so the parts of the joint should slide past each other more easily and smoothly.

What is Supartz?

Supartz is similar to the fluid that surrounds the joints in your body. This fluid acts as a lubricant and shock absorber for your joints. Therefore, Supartz can be used to treat knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, and it’s usually given when other arthritis medications have not been effective. This injection is used to treat knee pain in patients with joint inflammation (osteoarthritis). It’s usually used in patients who haven’t responded to other treatments such as acetaminophen, exercise, or physical therapy. Hyaluronate (also known as hyaluronan) being similar to the fluid that naturally occurs in the joints may work by acting as a lubricant and shock absorber in the joint, helping the knee to move smoothly, thereby lessening pain.

How Is Supartz Injection Given?

Supartz is injected right into the knee joint (intra-articularly), once a week, for 3 to 5 weeks. Follow your doctor’s dosing instructions very carefully. It usually takes at least 3 treatments to see the full benefits, so you may need to be a patient. Some patients respond to the first cycle of 3-5 injections, and some respond at first but discover that the effects wear off quickly. It’s possible to get a second round of injections. Studies have found that the second cycle could be safer than the first cycle. As with any other medication or treatment that is delivered into the body cavity, Supartz injections for knees Woodstock GA come with its risks and benefits. It is important to discuss the benefits and risks with your doctor before the treatment.

Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse. Skin disinfectants that contain ammonium salts (such as benzalkonium chloride) should not be used to prepare the injection site. Your doctor may need to remove extra fluid from the joint before injecting the medicine. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. To prevent pain and swelling, your doctor may recommend resting your knee or applying ice for a short time after your injection. After receiving an injection of hyaluronate, you should avoid any activities that put stress on your knee (such as jogging, tennis, heavy lifting, standing on your feet for more than an hour) for 48 hours. Hyaluronate should not be injected into a vein or artery because increased side effects may occur.

Approval of Supartz and Supartz Fx

Supartz has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis in patients who have not gotten sufficient relief with conservative treatments, such as pain medications, exercise, physical therapy, mobility aids, and hot or cold packs. The FDA approved Supartz on January 24, 2001, and it has been used in Japan since 1987. However, Supartz is not approved for use by anyone younger than 21 years old.

Supartz is injected once a week for a 5-week cycle. Some patients may have a good response after 3 weeks. Its use in other joints is being investigated. In 2015, Bioventus, the manufacturer of Supartz, announced the launch of Supartz Fx, which contains 10 milligrams (mg) sodium hyaluronate dissolved in 1.0% physiological saline. Supartz Fx has an expanded safety label compared to the original Supartz, allowing for repeat injection cycles.

Before Receiving This Treatment

You shouldn’t receive Supartz if you’re allergic to it, or if you have an infection in your knee or the skin around your knee. Read all patient information, medication guides, and instruction sheets provided to you. If you have any questions, ask your doctor. Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• blood clots or circulation problems in your legs; or
• an allergy to birds, feathers, or egg products.

It isn’t known whether Supartz will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you’re pregnant. It may not be safe to breastfeed a baby while you are receiving this treatment. Ask your doctor about any risks associated with Supartz injections for knees Woodstock GA.

Common Side Effects of Supartz Injections

Common side effects or adverse events associated with Supartz include:

• back pain, joint pain, muscle pain
• joint pain with/without inflammation
• non-specific pain
• headache, dizziness
• injection site pain/reaction
• numbness or tingly feeling
• nausea, stomach pain
• trouble walking
• warmth, pain, redness, stiffness, bruising, or puffiness where the medicine was injected
• swelling in your hands or feet, or
• runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, sore throat.

Transient swelling or pain can occur in a joint that has been injected with Supartz. Remember, this is not a complete list of side effects. Others may occur depending on the patient receiving the injection. Call your doctor for advice about side effects. Patients are advised to avoid strenuous or weight-bearing activities in the 48 hours following injection. So, for at least 48 hours after your injection, avoid jogging, strenuous activity, or high-impact sports such as soccer or tennis. Also, avoid weight-bearing activity or standing for longer than 1 hour at a time. Ask your doctor how long to wait before you resume these activities.

Supartz Warnings and Precautions

You should not receive Supartz injections if you have a hypersensitivity to sodium hyaluronate products. Your doctor should be cautious when considering this treatment for you if you’re allergic to avian proteins, eggs, or feathers. You shouldn’t also receive a Supartz if you have an infection in your knee or the skin around your knee. The safety and effectiveness of Supartz haven’t been established in pregnant women, nor lactating women. Its use hasn’t been studied in children as well.

What Other Drugs Can Affect Supartz?

Other drugs may affect Supartz, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medications and any medicine you started or stopped using.

Supartz Injections For Knees

Knee osteoarthritis can be extremely debilitating and interfere with normal function. Joint deterioration is progressive due to aging. It’s highly recommended to change your lifestyle and protect your joints with safe exercises, stretching, and physical therapy. At Advanced Health Solutions – GA Spine & Disc, we focus on non-surgical and minimally invasive treatments to relieve knee pain, promote healing, rehabilitate, and prevent future injuries. We strongly feel that the key to a long and healthy lifestyle is to stay active, and our doctors will help patients to take part in the recreational and competitive activities that they enjoy. We also offer Supartz injections for knees Woodstock GA for patients with knee pain. Call us today at (770) 212-3991 or use our online contact form to schedule an appointment with our highly experienced doctor.

Supartz Injections For Knees