Knee Osteoarthritis and Supartz Joint Fluid Therapy
Osteoarthritis is common in the knee joint. It is a disease that involves both biomechanical and biochemical factors that destabilize the cartilage matrix and cause pain, functional limitations, and disability. In the United States, it is the leading cause of disability and over 20 million people are affected by it.
Cartilage is a rubbery tissue at the end of bones which allows the joint to move easily. Normally, the knee contains lubricating substance called hyaluronan in the synovial fluid, a fluid which cushions your knee.
In osteoarthritis, there is not enough hyaluronan by which it can be hard to move your joints. The surface layer of cartilage breaks and wears away. The bones under the cartilage rub together, causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion of the joint. Over time, the joint may lose its normal shape.
Symptoms of Knee Osteoarthritis
The deterioration of cartilage occurs gradually and there may be no symptoms in the early stages of osteoarthritis. Symptoms may appear over time. These include:
• Knee stiffness especially in the morning
• Knee pain whether a person moves or not
• Crackling sound or grating feeling
• Red and swollen skin around the knee
Symptoms do not always correlate with the amount of damage to the joint and they may come and go for no apparent reason.
Risk Factors of Knee Osteoarthritis
Knee is vulnerable to pain, and a number of widespread risk factors are causing a rise in osteoarthritis of the knee. Some risk factors include:
• Aging
• Obesity
• Heredity
• Injury to the knee joint
• Lack of exercise or sedentary lifestyle
• Muscle weakness
• Overuse of the knee joint
• Skewed feet
• Wearing inappropriate footwear
How Supartz Therapy Can Help with Knee Osteoarthritis
Supartz Joint Fluid Therapy is a viscosupplement which is used as a nonsurgical and nonpharmacological treatment for osteoarthritis of the knee. It contains highly purified sodium hyaluronate, also known as hyaluronan or hyaluronic acid. Viscosupplements are designed to replace normal component of the joint involved in joint lubrication.
In five randomized, double-blind studies in patients with osteoarthritis of the knee Supartz injections were significantly more effective than phosphate-buffered saline control injections. The goal of Supartz Joint Fluid Therapy is to supplement the poor quality hyaluronic acid in your knee with additional highly purified hyaluronic acid. A course of Supartz therapy can help relieve pain, improve mobility, and get back to exercising, which is important for arthritic joints.
Most patients treated with Supartz therapy experienced minor to no discomfort during the injection. There is no definite treatment that can cure osteoarthritis, but with effective Supartz treatment and proper physician care, many people with osteoarthritis can have healthy and active lives.
