Supartz Injections
When you have chronic knee pain caused by osteoarthritis, it impacts pretty much everything you do. Taking the dog for a walk around the block, shopping at the grocery, even walking up the stairs in your house — everything hurts. And it’s likely your knee pain is keeping you from doing many of the things you formerly enjoyed, such as hiking around Show Lo.
Dr. Trujillo helps our Summit Healthcare Pain Clinic patients get past the pain involved with many chronic conditions, including knee pain. A new tool that could help you is called Supartz. These are injections that return lubrication to the knee and can relieve your pain.
Here’s more about these new FDA-approved injections for knee pain.
What are Supartz injections?
Supartz is a synthetic version of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally in the human body. It provides lubrication for the joints, as well as helping to hydrate and firm the skin, among other jobs. You may have heard of hyaluronic acid as the main ingredient in the popular lines of natural dermal fillers Juvéderm and Restylane.
Supartz injections are approved by the FDA to treat knee osteoarthritis. Dr. Trujillo injects the Supartz solution directly into the patient’s knee, restoring the cushioning and lubricating properties of the synovial fluid (joint fluid).
Who is a good candidate for Supartz injections?
If you’re suffering from chronic knee pain due to osteoarthritis, Supartz injections could be a great treatment. Their injection only takes a few minutes and involves minimal, if any, discomfort. The added lubrication provided by Supartz can really make a difference in your chronic knee pain.
The main problem could be a lack of response. For some patients, Supartz provides excellent pain relief. For others, it only has minimal effectiveness.
These are meant to be basically single injections into the joint space. In some cases, Dr. Trujillo may inject more than once to get the fluid into different areas of the knee.
How often do I get Supartz injections?
How many Supartz injections do I need?
The FDA has approved Supartz for a series of up to five weekly injections. That is the maximum; some patients feel they only need two or three sessions to provide the pain relief they seek.
How are Supartz injections given?
Dr. Trujillo performs Supartz injections in our Show Low offices of Summit Healthcare Pain Clinic Associates. First, we numb your knee with lidocaine. If you have any fluid buildup in your knee, we may first remove it to optimize the Supartz placement and potency. Then Dr. Trujillo injects Supartz directly into the knee joint space, and that ends the treatment.
Are these Supartz injections painful?
We apply local anesthesia to make these injections comfortable. Any discomfort is minimal.
What do I need to do following my Supartz injections?
After your Supartz injections, we recommend that you avoid any strenuous activities for a few days to fully let the Supartz settle into your knee.
Are there any side effects with Supartz injections?
As mentioned above, Supartz is simply a synthetic version of hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid naturally occurs in the human body, making reactions quite rare. There are few risks involved with Supartz treatments. Remember, these injections have been approved for knee pain treatment by the FDA, so they had to show both effectiveness and any adverse reactions in order to gain approval.
Patients can have some pain at the injection sites, or it can show in back pain for a short period of time. There is a possibility of developing a headache, again for a short period of time.
The only people who should not use Supartz would have a hypersensitivity to sodium hyaluronate products. If you’re allergic to avian proteins, eggs, or feathers, you also may not be a candidate. You also cannot have any active skin infections or skin diseases.
The main problem could be a lack of response. For some patients, Supartz provides excellent pain relief. For others, it only has minimal effectiveness.
How long before I will feel relief after my Supartz injections?
Your pain relief varies between patients. Some feel immediate improvement. For others, it takes a couple days to really feel a change.
How long will the pain relief from Supartz last?
This isn’t a cure for the knee pain due to osteoarthritis, but it can relieve your pain and allow you to avoid knee replacement, at least for some time. We’ve found Supartz provides relief for between 9 to 12 months.
Patient Testimonials:
"Dr. Trujillo and PA Hall are also very professional, friendly, and kind. They explain things in a way anyone can understand without it sounding condescending. They have a fantastic bedside manner. They also both seem genuinely interested in whatever you have to say, and clearly care about their patients. They are very receptive to doing whatever they possibly can to improve your quality of life.
The entire office is wonderful. I've never even had a mediocre experience here. I always have a great experience and leave the office with a smile." - L.A.
"Thank you for doing such a great job, The staff is very loving and caring, and took great care of my girlfriend and I after a motorcycle accident, I have never experienced such wonderful people that truly care like the staff at Summit" - T.G.
"As far as pain centers go, this is the best one I have been to. Dr. Trujillo is very passionate doctor." - M.E.
Schedule Your Consultation Today!
Interested in learning more about pain relief with Supartz Injections? Call 855-768-4968 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Dax Trujillo today! Our practice serves Show Low, AZ & all nearby areas.
