What are hyaluronic acid injections?

Hyaluronic acid injections are used to treat osteoarthritis in the knee. Hyaluronan is the fluid that naturally lubricates the knee and other joints, notes WebMD.

Osteoarthritis occurs when the body slows down the production of hyaluronan. This substance is made to keep the joints well lubricated and avoid any unnecessary friction.

Patients can get a treatment of injections to help rebuild the fluid and ease the pain. The injections are given in the knee area usually once a week for up to 5 weeks, as stated by WebMD. It is not clear how much of an effect the shots have on patients. Some patients see results while others do not.