Euflexxa Injections: The Non-Surgical Solution to Relieving Knee Pain

Sometimes, patients don’t respond adequately to non-invasive treatments, so a different approach may be necessary. In the case of knee osteoarthritis, this doesn’t always mean surgery. Many patients may benefit from viscosupplementation, and Euflexxa injections are one option used to supplement hyaluronic acid within the knee joint and help manage OA-related pain.

Licensed medical practices looking to buy Euflexxa wholesale should source the product through reputable suppliers that can support product authenticity, appropriate storage, and proper handling throughout the supply chain.

Viscosupplementation involves injecting hyaluronic acid (HA), also known as hyaluronan or hyaluronate, into the knee joint. Several brands are available, each with its own formulation and dosing schedule. In this article, we’ll focus on Euflexxa and explain how it works, how it is administered, its potential benefits, side effects, contraindications, and treatment restrictions.

What Are Euflexxa Injections?

Euflexxa injections are used to treat pain associated with knee osteoarthritis. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint condition in which cartilage and other joint structures gradually deteriorate, contributing to pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility.

Inside the cavities of synovial joints, we can find synovial fluid, which is there to help lubricate them. Euflexxa contains synthetic hyaluronan extracted from bacterial cells, which mimics the natural hyaluronan, a gel-like substance found in the synovial fluid. 

How Does Euflexxa Work?

The hyaluronic acid contained in Euflexxa is meant to supplement the hyaluronan found in our knees, which should ideally help with the pain. The idea is to increase the concentration of HA and help stimulate our natural production of it.   

By supplementing the hyaluronan within the joint, Euflexxa injections may improve lubrication and cushioning, helping reduce osteoarthritis-related knee pain and support smoother movement.

OA is a progressive disease, which means that it gets worse with time. There are indications that viscosupplementation can slow down the progression. It should be noted that Euflexxa doesn’t cure OA because it isn’t possible to restore an already deteriorated cartilage, but it does help ease the pain associated with it.

What Does the Procedure Look Like?

Euflexxa injections are administered by a qualified healthcare professional after appropriate patient assessment and prescription. The treatment is delivered directly into the knee joint according to the recommended dosing schedule.

Sometimes, the doctor will also inject a local anesthetic to numb the area before starting the procedure. Two to four weeks after being injected with cortisone, the patient will receive the Euflexxa injection. There should be three doses in total, one per week.

A study was conducted to test whether it is safe to repeat the procedure after six months. The results showed no negative consequences from additional treatment.

Depending on the patient’s clinical profile and treatment plan, a healthcare professional may also consider another viscosupplement, such as an Orthovisc injection, as an alternative hyaluronic acid-based option.

Benefits & Side Effects

The main advantage of Euflexxa injections is that they offer a non-surgical option for managing knee osteoarthritis pain when measures such as oral medication, exercise, or physical therapy have not provided adequate relief. Some patients may experience symptom improvement that lasts for several months after completing the recommended injection series.

Despite its major benefits, you should be aware of the possible side effects before opting for this injectable medication. Some of the most common ones you may encounter include :

• nausea;
• headache;
• itchiness;
• loss of appetite;
• stomach pain;
• diarrhea;
• dizziness;
• difficulty walking;
• pain, stiffness, or bruising around the injection site;
• back pain.

Other less common issues that may arise include difficulties swallowing and breathing, severe dizziness, coughing, and skin rashes.

Apart from the above-listed adverse reactions, there are occasional instances where other severe complications resulting of use of Euflexxa. For instance, infection(s) could occur, which result in symptoms such as a fever, redness, and/or swelling. This specific group of side effects from Euflexxa use are extremely rare, though it is still essential patients understand in entirety what the risks are before agreeing to the treatment.

If you notice any side effects, you should consult with your doctor. Some of them may not need medical intervention and will disappear on their own, but other side effects may persist.

Contraindications & Restrictions

Euflexxa is not to be used by patients who are allergic to hyaluronic acid or other ingredients found in the solution. Furthermore, those with an infection or skin disease around the area where Euflexxa is supposed to be injected should also avoid this type of treatment.  This medication is not recommended for those who are pregnant, nursing, or under the age of 18 because it hasn’t been tested on these groups.

The patient shouldn’t do any strenuous physical activity within the first two days of receiving each dose. This includes sports, jogging, and standing for more than an hour at a time.

Conclusion

All things considered, Euflexxa can be quite beneficial for those suffering from osteoarthritis. While this injectable can’t cure the condition, the positive effects can sometimes last six months or even longer. Keep in mind that it is not a solution suitable for everyone, so patients need to be open with their doctors about any allergies to the ingredients or other circumstances that might make receiving the injections risky or even outright dangerous. 

FAQ

How long does it take for Euflexxa to work?

The time it takes for Euflexxa to take effect may vary from individual to individual. It’s been reported that patients usually start noticing improvements two weeks after being injected with the final dose.

What is the success rate of Euflexxa injections?

If we look into studies conducted to test the efficacy of Euflexxa knee injections, we may be able to determine how successful this injectable medication is in helping patients with pain caused by knee OA. For example, in the study conducted by Altman et al. (2009), 47% of participants who received a three-week-long treatment with Euflexxa injections ended up being entirely pain-free. This effect persisted for six months.

Is the Euflexxa injection a steroid?

No, the Euflexxa injection is not a steroid. It’s a hyaluronic acid injection, which can be an alternative for those with medical conditions that prevent them from taking steroid injections. It has been suggested that there is a small risk of steroid injections actually worsening knee OA, which is not the case with Euflexxa.

Citations

[1] Altman, R. D., et al. “A Double-Blind, Randomized, Saline-Controlled Study of the Efficacy and Safety of EUFLEXXA® for Treatment of Painful Osteoarthritis of the Knee, With an Open-Label Safety Extension (The FLEXX Trial).” Seminars in Arthritis and Rheumatism, vol. 39, no. 1, 2009, pp. 1–9. http://www.medirequests.com/pdfs/Altman_et_al_2009.pdf.

[2] “Frequently Asked Questions.” Euflexxa. https://www.euflexxa.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/US-EU-1900050_EUFLEXXA-Patient-FAQ-Update_FINAL.pdf.

[3] “Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Injections.” Twin Cities Orthopedics. https://tcomn.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Euflexxa-Handout.pdf.

[4] “Hyaluronic Acid (Injection Route).” Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/hyaluronate-sodium-injection-route/side-effects/drg-20064194?p=1.

[5] “Interventional Pain Management in Osteoarthritis.” Fowler Simmons Radiology. https://fsradiology.com.au/services/interventional-procedures/euflexxa-injections.

[6] Konstantakos, E. “What Is Cartilage?” Arthritis-health, May 2016. https://www.arthritis-health.com/types/joint-anatomy/what-cartilage.

[7] Multum, C. “Euflexxa (Injection).” Drugs.com, Mar. 2023. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/euflexxa-injection.html.

[8] Orchard, J. “Is There a Place for Intra-Articular Corticosteroid Injections in the Treatment of Knee Osteoarthritis?” BMJ, 2020, l6923. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l6923.

[9] “Osteoarthritis (OA).” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, July 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/arthritis/basics/osteoarthritis.htm.

[10] “Osteoarthritis.” Mayo Clinic, June 2021. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/osteoarthritis/symptoms-causes/syc-20351925.

[11] “Osteoarthritis.” National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, Oct. 2019. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoarthritis.

[12] Rassouli, S. “What Is Euflexxa and How Does It Work?” AmeriPharma Specialty Care, Mar. 2023. https://ameripharmaspecialty.com/what-is-euflexxa-and-how-does-it-work/.

[13] “Viscosupplementation Treatment for Knee Arthritis.” OrthoInfo, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, Feb. 2021. https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/viscosupplementation-treatment-for-knee-arthritis/.

[14] “What Is Euflexxa.” Euflexxa. https://www.euflexxa.com/what-is-euflexxa/.