Joliet

(815) 439-2726

Naperville

(331) 249-3999

New Lenox

(815) 717-8355

Roselle

(224) 655-6555

Integrated Physical Medicine

Hyaluronic Acid Injections

Although the name may sound a little scary, your body naturally makes hyaluronic acid. In fact, it is a vital part of the synovial fluid that helps lubricate and cushion your joints. It works as a lubricant, allowing the cartilage covering the ends of your joints to glide against one another. This keeps your joints healthy and moving freely. Hyaluronic acid is also important because it forms part of the building blocks and nourishment for your cartilage and bone.

The goal of all regenerative medicine, including hyaluronan acid injections is to replace or reboot tissues or organs damaged because of disease, injury, age, or other issues instead of treating symptoms with medication and procedures.

What Are Hyaluronan Injections?

Hyaluronic acid injections are given to add to your body's natural supply. You may sometimes hear or read about these injections as "viscosupplementation," which literally means they help the fluid in your joints.

When you have osteoarthritis (OA) in the knees, for instance, the hyaluronic acid in the affected joint gets thinner. Hyaluronic acid gel injections act as a lubricant so the joint works more smoothly. The hyaluronic acid from these injections may also reduce inflammation in the joint and therefore joint pain and swelling.

Hyaluronan injections are a viable option when other treatments have not worked. Usually, people consider these injections when they have failed exercise, tablets, and cortisone injections. For example, some people can not take common anti-inflammatories like Ibuprofen due to stomach ulcers or previous heart attacks.

They are often used to treat knee pain caused by osteoarthritis (OA) in patients whose symptoms do not get better with painkillers or non-drug treatments such as heat or ice. In fact, hyaluronic injections are also often tried by people who can not take painkillers like Acetaminophen (Tylenol), Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin), or Naproxen Sodium (Aleve) due to their heart or other issues. They are also an alternative for patients who can not have (or are not ready for) total knee replacement or other surgeries.

Most insurance companies cover hyaluronic acid injections, including Medicare!

What to Expect When Getting a Hyaluronic Acid Injection.

At IPM, our board-certified nurse practitioner will assess your need and qualifications for a hyaluronan injection with you. The nurse practitioner will also administer the injections if it is right for you.

It may take more than one injection for the pain to go away. Depending on your assessment, you may only need a single shot. At most, you may get three to four injections, but spaced a week apart.

In any case, the injection is given the same way. First, the provider cleans the area. If your knee, for instance, is swollen with excess fluid, she may first inject a local painkiller, they must first insert a needle into the joint to withdraw excess fluid. With the same needle still in place, they can usually inject the hyaluronic acid into the joint. Often hyaluronic acid injections are performed in conjunction with platelet-rich plasma (PRP).

After an injection, you should not do any hard weight-bearing activity for one or two days. Otherwise, you should be able to resume normal activities.

What Are The Risks?

Hyaluronan injections have very few side effects. However, some people may have pain, stiffness or swelling in their joint after the injection. There’s also a small risk of infection, just as with any injection procedure.

Conditions Treated With Hyaluronic Acid.

The most common condition we treat with hyaluronic acid is knee arthritis. However, other conditions are also treated including:

  • Osteoarthritis (OA)
    (also known as degenerative joint disease or “wear and tear” arthritis)
  • Ankle arthritis
  • Hip arthritis
  • Thumb arthritis
  • Hip impingement

    • Is Trigger Point Injection Right For You?

    Hyaluronic acid injection may be right for you if your joint pain has not improved with other treatments, including pain medication and/or physical therapy.


    To learn more, call us or book a consultation online today.

    New Lenox

    (815) 717-8355


    Kelly Drudi, MSN, APN-BC

    Kelly is a board-certified nurse practitioner with full practice authority in the state of Illinois. She received her BSN in 1999 from St. Francis Medical Center College of Nursing in Peoria, IL. Then received her APN from Northern Illinois University in DeKalb, IL in 2011. Kelly is board-certified though American Nurses Credentialing Center as Adult Nurse Practitioner.

    As a nurse practitioner, she is able to compliment IPM's physical therapy and chiropractic work through internal medicine, primary care and telemedicine. Kelly enjoys helping patients to improve their well-being and quality of life, including the offerings and advancements in the field of regenerative medicine.

    When it comes time to start your specific treatment care plan, the doctors at IPM have a number of different services to offer, each with their own individual techniques tailored to fit your specific body, pain and goals for recovery.

    Chiropractic Techniques | Physical Therapy | Regenerative Medicine | Therapeutic Massage | Body Contouring

    --mi

    Joliet

    Address

    2732 Caton Farm Road
    Joliet, IL 60435, United States

    Contact Information (815) 439-2726
    Get Directions

    Our physicians serve New Lenox, Mokena, Frankfort, Manhattan, Tinley Park, Orland Park, Joliet, Plainfield, Shorewood, Crest Hill, Roselle, Bloomingdale, Schaumburg, Medinah, Hanover Park, Wood Dale, Itasca, and Keeneyville, Naperville, Warrenville, Aurora, Wheaton, Lisle, Eola, Winfield, West Chicago, North Aurora, Batavia and other surrounding cities.