INDEX:
- What is hyaluronic acid?
- Why is it performed?
- What does it consist of?
- Preparation for treatment
- Care after the procedure
What is hyaluronic acid?
Hyaluronic acid is a substance produced naturally by the human body and found in the connective tissue of the skin, in the cartilage or tendons of the joints, but also in the vitreous body of the eyeball.
In the joints it is found in the synovial fluid of the intra-articular cavities and gives them viscosity. This fluid has several functions:
- It prevents the bones from coming into contact with each other during movement.
- It cushions the shocks that reach the joint.
- It transports nutrients to the cartilage tissue.
Therefore, it is a powerful ally in the prevention of joint damage, especially in elderly people where there is worn cartilage and, consequently, prevents the appearance of inflammation.
When, due to aging or specific pathologies, hyaluronic acid is not regenerated after its metabolization and is lacking, it can be injected locally to fill it and ensure the proper functioning of the joints.
Infiltrations are used, because a simple injection allows easy access to the area that produces the painful process, so that the inflammation caused by the disease is reduced more quickly. Hyaluronic acid, thanks to its minimal side effects, is widely used for different purposes, including some Aesthetic Medicine treatments.
Nowadays, there are many cosmetic products containing hyaluronic acid. However, the one to be taken into account is the one used in Aesthetic Medicine or to treat joint pathologies. In any case, it is a product that can be injected in the areas to be treated, presented in gel form.
Mainly, there are 2 types of hyaluronic acid:
- Cross-linked: it is presented in gel form and this allows it to maintain stability for 6-9 months.
- Non-cross-linked: it is presented in liquid form, so it keeps its stability for 3 months.
Why is it performed?
Hyaluronic acid infiltrations are performed as a conservative treatment for diseases that produce an inflammatory or degenerative process in the joints.
They are not treatments to treat the disease, but to reduce pain and improve joint performance. Only surgery can provide a complete solution to this type of problem, but in young patients, under 65 years of age, there is a tendency to postpone surgery in favor of conservative treatments to avoid its invasiveness, as well as the possibility of having to repeat the operation a second time due to wear and tear of the implanted materials.
Generally, after a cycle of infiltrations, the painful symptomatology may not manifest itself for a year. At this point the procedure can be repeated to benefit from the results again. The diseases that benefit most from this treatment are:
- Osteoarthritis
- Tendinitis
- Chondropathy
- Capsulitis
- Fasciitis
- Fibrosis
- Bursitis
Other diseases for which treatment may be useful, especially in the early stage or when anti-inflammatory treatment is contraindicated, are:
- Gonarthrosis
- Coxarthrosis
- Arthrosis of the shoulder, spine and fingers.
Athletes also benefit from it, in particular to prevent cartilage problems.
In Aesthetic Medicine treatments, it may be indicated in the treatment of:
- Wrinkles
- Nasolabial folds
- Crow’s feet
- Wrinkles on the forehead or between the eyebrows.
What does it consist of?
Hyaluronic acid infiltrations are performed directly at intra-articular level and can be performed in two different ways. On the one hand, it can be performed in a single treatment with the injection of 20 mg of product. On the other hand, it can be performed more frequently in a cycle with an injection every 7 days for approximately 3-5 weeks.
In more severe cases, two cycles can be performed in a single year to obtain a better result.
Preparation for hyaluronic acid treatments
Before undergoing treatment with hyaluronic acid, it is essential to take a complete medical history of the patient to assess any history that the person may have (reactions, allergies or possible infections).
It is important that the patient avoids sun exposure and alcoholic beverages the day before and the day of the treatment. On the other hand, aspirin should not be taken during the three days prior to the treatment; in this way, we will try to avoid the appearance of hematomas.
Finally, the sterility of the skin at the time of the injection must be taken into account to avoid possible infections.
Care after the procedure
Once the treatment with hyaluronic acid has been performed, the patient should not practice sports until two hours after the injection. Neither should alcohol, aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs be consumed.
In some cases, temporary swelling may appear in the area where the infiltration has been injected due to a mild inflammatory process. No additional treatments are necessary because, as mentioned above, these are temporary side effects that tend to disappear within a couple of days. For more information, contact a Plastic Surgery specialist.