Treatment of joint pain due to osteoarthritis with the introduction of hyaluronic acid — a method widely used in practice in many countries. Over the years, the amount of joint lubrication decreases sharply, it ceases to perform its protective and lubricating functions, the cartilage tissue wears off and collapses. This provokes joint inflammation, swelling and pain.
The introduction of hyaluronic acid into the cavity of a worn joint eliminates most problems by replenishing the amount of synovial fluid and increasing its viscosity. Hyaluronic acid improves the nutrition of cartilage cells, thereby ensuring its renewal and stopping further destruction. The pain noticeably decreases or disappears completely. Patients note a noticeable effect from treatment in the initial stages of degenerative-dystrophic changes in the joint. With the assistance of this treatment method, it is possible to extend the life of the joint and postpone its radical replacement.
Typically, intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid are effective in the early stages of osteoarthritis, and their effect can last from 6 months to a year. In addition to the knee joint, the method has been successfully applied to other joints: ankle, hip, shoulder and even small joints of the hands. Hyaluronic acid injections are also used for other diseases: arthritis, gout, bursitis, ligament ruptures, cartilage deformation, etc.
In Mexico, particularly in Cancun, many clinics offer hyaluronic acid injections as a treatment for joint problems. Like other resorts, Cancun also has clinics specializing in sports medicine, the treatment of sports injuries and rehabilitation after injuries and prosthetics. There are also enough highly qualified specialists.
The procedure usually takes only a few minutes, but nevertheless requires a thorough preliminary examination. His goal — determine whether there is an inflammatory process in the joint, how effective the introduction of hyaluronic acid will be and what side effects are possible. Only after an examination will a specialist determine whether the drug can help in each specific situation.
The price of a consultant's consultation usually reaches 800 — 1200 MXN ($42-63). First you need to do tests, undergo an x-ray or ultrasound probing of the joint. In some cases, before the injection, the expert pumps out the fluid from the interarticular space, and studying the composition of the interarticular fluid before administering the medicine will also help avoid complications. The consultant will determine which drug is best to use. In some cases, the desired effect can be achieved with a single injection of hyaluronic acid, in other cases several injections of another drug will be required.
The tariff for the process itself, excluding medications, is about 2000 MXN ($105).
Prices for simple hyaluronic acid preparations start at 800 and reach 8000 MXN ($42-420) for the most expensive single-dose preparations. If you take drugs that require several doses, their cost can reach 13,000 MXN ($684). Even more expensive, about 15,000 MXN ($790), will cost a complex procedure for biological cleaning of the joint using plasma lifting, in other words, the introduction of one’s own high-purity plasma rich in platelets.
If the joint is inflamed, an injection of cortisone derivatives may be required — it is valued at around 1000 MXN ($53).
In general, intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid is not considered a complex procedure, and the main price for it is based on the cost of the drugs used. Many clinics immediately name the base price of the procedure at 12,000 MXN ($632).
After completing the stages, you should not wet the injection site for 2 days, and you should not put stress on the joint. Immediately after the process, you can return to normal life.