Benefits and Qualifying Patients for Viscosupplementation with Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Viscosupplementation is a procedure that involves the injection of a gel-like fluid called hyaluronic acid into the knee joint to treat knee arthritis. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the body that acts as a lubricant, helping bones move smoothly and reducing friction between joint surfaces. The procedure is designed to provide relief for chronic pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease that occurs when the protective cartilage within a joint wears down over time.
Viscosupplementation is often used to treat patients with osteoarthritis by reducing pain, increasing joint mobility, and improving overall quality of life.
Benefits of Viscosupplementation
Some of the benefits of viscosupplementation with HA(hyaluronic acid) injections include:
- Reduced pain and inflammation in the joint
- Increased joint mobility and flexibility
- Improved overall quality of life
- Reduced reliance on pain medication
- Delayed progression of arthritis
Qualifying Patients for Viscosupplementation
Patients who may benefit from viscosupplementation with HA injections typically have osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease characterized by the breakdown of cartilage in the joint. Other patients who may benefit from viscosupplementation include those with rheumatoid arthritis, gout, post-traumatic arthritis, or other conditions that cause joint pain and inflammation.
Before undergoing viscosupplementation, patients will need to have a consultation with their healthcare provider to determine if they are a good candidate for the procedure. Patients with allergies to eggs or bird products, who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have skin infections around the injection site may not be eligible for the procedure.
Additional Resources
For patients who may need more information on viscosupplementation and other treatment options for knee arthritis, resources such as the American College of Rheumatology and the Arthritis Foundation can be incredibly helpful.
In conclusion, viscosupplementation with hyaluronic acid injections is a safe and effective treatment for patients with knee osteoarthritis who have not found relief from traditional treatments. While there are risks associated with the procedure, it offers significant benefits and can improve the quality of life for those experiencing chronic knee pain and inflammation.
- https://www.aapc.com/medicalcoding/cpt-codes/20610
- https://coder.aapc.com/cpt-codes/J7323
- https://coder.aapc.com/cpt-codes/J7325
- https://coder.aapc.com/cpt-codes/J7326
- https://coder.aapc.com/cpt-codes/J7324