The squeaky wheel gets the grease. In the same way, the joint that aches from osteoarthritis gets the attention. Certain joints in the body are bathed in synovial fluid. This vital fluid contains hyaluronon, which works like grease to lubricate the joint. It also cushions the joint from extra strain and shock. Osteoarthritis results in less hyaluronon in the synovial fluid. As a result, the joint surfaces don’t get lubricated and are more likely to get injured from daily stresses and strain on the joint.
Scientists have studied the effects of injecting hyaluronon into arthritic joints in animals. The authors list numerous studies that show benefits from this type of treatment. The treatments reportedly soothed pain, slowed damage to the joint, and even protected the bone below the joint lining.
Scientists use caution when applying the results of animal studies to treatments in humans. However, there are now a host of studies showing that people with osteoarthritis get good benefits, too. The benefits seemed to be strongest in people over age 60 who had mild to moderate osteoarthritis problems and who were given a series of these types of treatments.