Monovisc®
How can Monovisc® provide relief from OA knee pain?
Monovisc®, this next generation gel-like substance manufactured from ultra-pure hyaluronic acid and obtained entirely from a non-avian source, supplements the hyaluronic acid naturally found in the synovial fluid of a healthy knee.
Monovisc® is indicated in the treatment of pain in OA of the knee in patients who have failed to respond adequately to conservative non-pharmacologic therapy and to simple analgesics (e.g. acetaminophen).
In clinical trials, patients who were treated with Monovisc® reported a reduction in pain. Monovisc® was generally well tolerated; no serious adverse events were reported.
Monovisc® is administered by your doctor as a single intra-articular injection, a treatment called viscosupplementation. Viscosupplements are thought to relieve OA knee pain by restoring the viscoelastic properties of the hyaluronic acid found in the knee.
What leads to OA knee pain?
A healthy knee contains synovial fluid, a viscous liquid that is responsible for lubricating the joint and absorbing shocks. Synovial fluid also has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
Hyaluronic acid is a major component of normal synovial fluid and contributes to the fluid’s viscoelastic properties.
Changes in the synovial fluid and degeneration of joint structures may lead to OA knee pain. Pain from OA of the knee may be worse during weight-bearing activities, particularly when climbing stairs or bending. For some people, pain may be present even at rest.
OA knee pain is caused by changes in synovial fluid and joint structures.