NYC Pain MD

Understanding Osteoarthritis (OA)

Apr 05, 2022
Understanding Osteoarthritis (OA)
Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that mostly affects the cartilage. Cartilage is the tissue that covers the ends on bones in a joint.

Osteoarthritis is a joint disease that mostly affects the cartilage. Cartilage is the tissue that covers the ends on bones in a joint.

When healthy, cartilage allows bones to glide smoothly over one another and acts as a shock absorber. Your“ normal” knee also contains a small amount of fluid called synovial fluid. This synovial fluid is a thick, gel-like solution that cushions and lubricates the joint–much like oil lubricates the engine of your car.

In osteoarthritis, the synovial fluid loses it’s lubricating properties and “dries up" allowing the cartilage to break down and wear away. This is like running your car with little or no oil. As you attempt to use your knee(s), there is not enough lubrication causing the bones to grind together resulting in pain, swelling, stiffness and the joint continues to wear out. This is a vicious cycle and can lead to bone-on-bone rubbing and excruciating pain. Pain pills do NOT lubricate the joint or fix the problem. They simply mask the pain so you do not feel the pain as your joints continue to deteriorate. The eventual repercussions of this are obvious.

“Visco” Is Very Different

Visco contains hyaluronate, one of the two natural lubricating agents found in your own synovial fluid. Visco-supplementation is precisely introduced directly in to your knee joint in a series of 3 to 5 treatments (depending on severity) over a 4 to 6 week period. This instantly cushions the joint, reduces friction and allows greater motion with less pain or no pain at all in some cases. This treatment not only lubricates the joint, but it acts as a shock absorber helping reduce grinding, inflammation and pain.

Want to know more or find out if you're a candidate for this treatment? Call us at 877-245-9252 an we'll get you scheduled for a FREE consultation with one of our expert physicians.