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Intra-articular injection is the injection of medicinal product into joints such as the knee, hip, and other joints. Intra-articular injection is mainly used in the chronic and progressive disease of osteoarthritis (arthrosis) in order to deliver the medicinal product directly and quickly. The main cause of intra-articular injection is the poor blood supply to the joints and the delay in the repair and healing of the injuries to the joint. The main products used for intra-articular injection are corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid.

The benefits of intra-articular injection vary depending on the type of product injected. In general, it is the direct delivery of the drug to the joint with the lowest dose and systemic side effects. It is mostly used to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, increase joint range of motion, and heal damage to joint tissue structures. Also, clinical studies have shown that it significantly reduces side effects caused using painkillers and NSIADs, which are often gastrointestinal.

This operation will be performed in an outpatient surgery center. The doctor cleans the injected area with an antibacterial solution and numbs it with a local anesthetic. The doctor can use x-ray or ultrasound guidance to determine the exact injection point in the hip joint. The amount of pain felt by each person varies, but due to the use of local anesthetics, a slight pain may be felt. It should be noted that some brands contain lidocaine, which causes pain.

Unfortunately, arthritis is a progressive disease and until now, every treatment method used for patients with arthritis is only to prevent its rapid progress. Most of the oral drugs are not very effective due to poor blood supply in the joints, and if they are used systemically, they have many side effects, such as painkillers that cause many and severe digestive side effects. Therefore, local treatments such as injecting hyaluronic acid directly into the joint, according to many clinical studies, is an effective method with very few and transient side effects.

The number of injections varies depending on the type of hyaluronic acid and the type of formulation. Also, the indications for its use are also different. Hyaluronic acid with low concentration and low molecular weight 3 times every 6 months, hyaluronic acid with high molecular weight 1 time every 4-6 months and cross-linked hyaluronic acid once every 9-12 months

It is better to rest lying down for about 1 hour immediately after the injection and do not put weight on the legs.

• Immediately after the injection, you can use cold water or ice compress on the injection site to reduce pain and inflammation.
• People with osteoarthritis should mostly avoid activities that put direct pressure on the joint. This should be followed for 10 days after the injection.
• Losing weight is one of the most important recommendations for people with osteoarthritis, especially the knee.
• Strengthening the involved joint muscles using corrective movements and physical medicine and physiotherapy exercises