Conditions Back ConditionsDrugs & Supplements Back Drugs & SupplementsWell-Being Back Well-BeingMore Back More Privacy & More Subscribe Log In Search Subscribe GuideOverview Symptoms & Types Tests & DiagnosisTreatmentLiving With View Full Guide Hyaluronan Injections for Knee OsteoarthritisWritten by Medically Reviewed by David Zelman, MD on April 23, 20252 min readThere are several versions of hyaluronan injections -- also called viscosupplementation -- that are used to treat . They are injected directly into the joint. They include:1% (,)High-molecular- hyaluronan ()-F20 () ( , )They can help reduce the pain in a affected by , increasing mobility and allowing more activity.How Do These Knee Osteoarthritis Injections Work?Normal joint fluid contains a substance called hyaluronan. It acts like a shock absorber and lubricant in your joint and is needed to help the joint work properly. Hyaluronan is highly viscous, allowing the cartilage surfaces of the bones to glide upon each other smoothly. This leads to decreased . What Joints Can Be Treated With These Osteoarthritis Injections?Currently, these drugs are only approved for treatment of mild to moderate knee arthritis. Doctors also use them for the hip, shoulder, and ankle.Candidates for Knee Osteoarthritis InjectionsThese drugs are used to treat knee pain in people who have not found significant relief of their symptoms from:ExerciseHeat or coldOver-the-counter pain relieversThese drugs can be injected into both knees or just a single knee joint.Side Effects of Knee Osteoarthritis InjectionsPotential side effects of these knee osteoarthritis injections include and pain. They can't be used by people with or joint infections. In addition, most varieties are made from processed chicken or rooster combs and should not be used in people with egg or poultry allergies. Euflexxa, however, is safe to use in people with egg .Occasionally, a severe reaction with swelling, redness, and pain, called a pseudo septic reaction, can occur with some forms of these viscosupplementation materials.What to Expect From Knee Osteoarthritis InjectionsTreatment with knee osteoarthritis injections ranges from a one-time injection to weekly injections for three to five weeks. Pain relief is usually obtained by four to 12 weeks, and the effect has been shown to last for up to several months. The treatment can be repeated as necessary.RELATED ARTICLES:SourcesUpdate HistorySharePrintSOURCES:The Cleveland Clinic Department of Orthopaedic Surgery.Arthritis Foundation.SharePrintNext In Osteoarthritis Injection TreatmentsShow more articles More On Osteoarthritis Recommended FEATURED Top doctors in , Find more top doctors on Search Related LinksPoliciesAboutFor Advertisers © 2005 - 2025 WebMD LLC, an company. All rights reserved. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. , Treatment with knee osteoarthritis injections ranges from a one-time injection to weekly injections for three to five weeks. Pain relief is usually obtained by four to 12 weeks, and the effect has , Arthritis in your knee reduces the synovial fluid in your joint, along with your cartilage.This contributes to the joint pain you feel when you move your knee. Injections of hyaluronic acid gel can help replace the lubrication you’ve lost and ease your knee pain.Healthcare providers call this viscosupplementation..