More than 22 percent of adults around the world over 40 years old have knee osteoarthritis (OA), with more than 14 million Americans having symptomatic knee OA. As one of the world’s leading causes of disability, this condition affects more than just the individual—it impacts their relationships, productivity and daily life.
A recent survey found that patients living with knee OA report that their condition prevents them from living a full life. Everyday activities, including climbing stairs, exercising, and sleeping, are often negatively affected by knee pain. Beyond the physical pain, survey respondents also noted an emotional impact. More than 9 in 10 patients reported missing out on social events and 28 percent said their everyday mental health was negatively affected by their ongoing OA pain. As an orthopedic surgeon, these statistics reinforce my commitment to providing relief for those living with knee OA pain.
Pain management is not a one-size-fits-all approach. By creating personalized treatment plans that are informed by the individual’s needs, I can focus on immediate pain alleviation and long-term functional improvement for my patients. Given the progressive nature of knee OA, identifying effective solutions is crucial. This balanced strategy helps manage symptoms and strives to help patients return to their everyday activities impacted by knee OA.
One option that has supported my mission to help patients manage knee OA pain is ZILRETTA® (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injectable suspension), a unique extended-release corticosteroid offering longer-term pain management. As a single injection treatment is effective for three months, it is a minimally invasive non-surgical option that has proven successful in managing knee pain for my patients. In fact, many individuals who previously received other treatment options reported an increased duration and quality of pain relief after receiving ZILRETTA for the first time.
ZILRETTA is the only FDA-approved treatment for OA knee pain to use extended-release microsphere technology. After a single injection, the microspheres in ZILRETTA slowly release medicine to manage pain continuously. The microspheres stay right in the knee joint, in the area where a patient has been experiencing pain. A recent study found that 70 percent of recipients had mild to no knee pain for three months. A survey also found that 93 percent of patients reported satisfactory relief from OA knee pain. ZILRETTA’s extended-relief nature allows patients to experience a season of sustained pain management – getting them back to the daily physical activities they have had to sideline due to their pain.
Establishing trust between healthcare providers and patients is crucial for effective treatment, especially for chronic conditions like knee OA. Open communication enables patients to discuss their symptoms, concerns and lifestyle needs, which allows physicians to develop a more personalized treatment plan. Many of my patients have found that ZILRETTA has helped restore normalcy, enabling them to reclaim their daily routines without lingering pain.
For more information, please visit https://zilretta.com/important-risk-information/.
This article is sponsored by Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
*Dr. Hanson is a consultant of Pacira BioSciences, Inc.
Indication
ZILRETTA® (triamcinolone acetonide extended-release injectable suspension) is an extended-release corticosteroid approved to manage osteoarthritis knee pain. The benefits and risks of repeat injections have not been demonstrated.
You should not receive a ZILRETTA injection if you are allergic to corticosteroids, triamcinolone acetonide, or any other component of the product.
Important Safety Information
Possible side effects:
- Rare serious allergic reactions
- Effects in the injected knee, such as infection (with pain, swelling and restricted motion) or joint damage
- Increased chance of getting an infection and a decreased ability to fight an infection
- Effects on hormone production. These effects can be reversible
- Elevated blood pressure, sodium and water retention and potassium loss
- Intestinal perforation if you have certain gastrointestinal disorders
- Weakening of bones
- Changes in behavior or mood disturbances
- Increased pressure inside the eye
In multiple clinical trials, the most common side effects seen in people taking ZILRETTA were joint pain, headache, joint swelling, back pain, sore throat and runny nose, upper respiratory tract infection and bruising.
Tell your doctor about all of the medications you are taking (including both prescription and over-the-counter medicines) and about any medical conditions, especially if you have high blood pressure, heart disease, ulcers, diverticulitis, or other gastrointestinal disorders, kidney problems, diabetes, glaucoma, behavior or mood disorders and/or infections.
Contact your doctor if you develop a fever or other signs of infection, have an increase in pain along with swelling of the injected knee, restriction of joint motion, or a general feeling of discomfort. Contact your doctor immediately if you are exposed to chicken pox or measles or for any new or worsening changes in behavior or mood.
These are not all of the possible side effects of ZILRETTA or corticosteroid medications. Please see the full Prescribing Information at www.ZILRETTALabel.com/PI.pdf. Always contact your doctor if you have questions or experience any side effects.
To report SUSPECTED ADVERSE REACTIONS, contact Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Inc. at 1-855-793-9727, FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088, or www.fda.gov/medwatch.
PP-ZA-US-0675 10/23.
The opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Las Vegas Review-Journal and you should consult your doctor before beginning any new health related practice
Members of the editorial and news staff of the Las Vegas Review-Journal were not involved in the creation of this content.