For many people living with knee osteoarthritis, corticosteroid injections are often one of the first treatments offered to ease pain and inflammation. These injections can bring quick relief, but the benefits are usually short-lived—and frequent use has been linked to cartilage damage and potential side effects throughout the body. As a result, doctors and patients alike have turned their attention to other injectable options that can support joint health more safely and sustainably.
One of the most established alternatives is Orthovisc—but despite being injected into the same area of the knee, it is not a steroid. Orthovisc belongs to a class of treatments known as viscosupplements, which use hyaluronic acid (a natural component of joint fluid) to restore lubrication, cushioning, and smoother movement. It is FDA-approved specifically for treating knee osteoarthritis and offers a different, longer-acting approach to managing discomfort.
In this article, we’ll explain what makes Orthovisc different from steroids, how it works, and what patients can expect when comparing it with traditional corticosteroid injections in terms of effectiveness and safety.
Key Takeaways
- Orthovisc is not a steroid injection. It is a hyaluronic acid–based therapy that restores joint lubrication and cushioning.
- Unlike corticosteroids, which provide fast but short-term relief by suppressing inflammation, Orthovisc offers gradual, longer-lasting results.
- Patients often begin noticing improvement within 4 to 12 weeks, depending on disease severity and joint health.
- Orthovisc carries fewer systemic risks and can be safely repeated, unlike steroids that may cause cartilage damage with overuse.
- It’s a preferred option for patients with diabetes, hypertension, or steroid intolerance, and those seeking non-hormonal relief.
- Combining Orthovisc with physical therapy and healthy lifestyle changes can further improve joint comfort and mobility.
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What Orthovisc Is Made Of Compared to Steroids
Orthovisc and corticosteroid injections differ significantly in both composition and purpose. Understanding what each contains helps explain why their effects on joint health are so distinct:
- Orthovisc Composition: Made from hyaluronic acid, a naturally occurring substance in joint (synovial) fluid that helps lubricate, cushion, and protect the joint surfaces. Orthovisc uses a high-molecular-weight gel that is injected directly into the joint to help restore normal motion and comfort.
- How Orthovisc Works: It acts as a viscosupplement, replenishing lost hyaluronic acid and restoring lubrication, reducing friction, and improving shock absorption.
- Steroid Composition: Corticosteroids (such as methylprednisolone, triamcinolone, or dexamethasone) are synthetic hormones modeled after cortisol, which work to suppress inflammation and reduce swelling.
- How Steroids Work: Steroids calm the immune and inflammatory responses, offering short-term relief but not addressing the joint’s mechanical function or structure.
In short, Orthovisc supports joint movement and lubrication, while steroids primarily target inflammation at a biochemical level—two very different paths to symptom relief.
How Orthovisc Works Differently From Corticosteroid Injections
Orthovisc’s effects develop gradually because it works to rebuild joint lubrication and function over time, rather than providing instant pain relief. It supplements the joint’s natural hyaluronic acid, improving viscosity, cushioning, and shock absorption with each injection.
Patients often ask, “How long does it take for Orthovisc to work?” The timeline varies, but most begin to notice improvement after several weeks, with results typically peaking between four and twelve weeks as the fluid restores lubrication and joint movement. This gradual improvement reflects Orthovisc’s mechanical support role—reducing friction and protecting cartilage from further wear, rather than just masking inflammation.
By contrast, corticosteroid injections act quickly, reducing swelling and pain within hours to days, but their effects are often short-lived. They suppress inflammatory pathways without repairing or supporting joint function. The difference between the two lies in focus—Orthovisc rebuilds, while steroids temporarily suppress.
Benefits of Orthovisc as a Non-Steroidal Therapy
Using Orthovisc instead of steroids offers several important advantages for patients seeking safer, longer-lasting joint relief. Because Orthovisc contains no steroid hormones, it avoids many systemic effects associated with steroids while directly targeting joint lubrication and comfort.
- Lower Systemic Side Effect Risk: Delivered locally, Orthovisc minimizes whole-body exposure and avoids hormone-related complications. However, transient local effects like mild pain, swelling, or joint effusion at the injection site can occur.
- No Immunosuppression: Unlike steroids, Orthovisc does not suppress the immune system or increase infection risk.
- Joint Lubrication and Cushioning: Hyaluronic acid restores synovial viscosity, reducing friction and mechanical wear rather than just numbing pain.
- Longer Duration of Effect: Many patients experience relief for up to six months, according to clinical studies, before they may need repeat treatment.
- Repeatability With Less Risk: Healthcare personnel can administer Orthovisc safely over time without the cartilage damage linked to frequent steroid use.
- Fewer Contraindications: It is often safer for patients with diabetes (since steroids can raise blood sugar) and hypertension (as steroids can elevate blood pressure).
For patients with chronic osteoarthritis, Orthovisc’s mechanical and protective benefits can make a real difference in preserving joint function and mobility over time.
When to Choose Orthovisc Over Steroid Injections
Choosing between Orthovisc and corticosteroid injections depends on each patient’s condition and treatment goals. While steroids are ideal for quick control of acute inflammation, Orthovisc can deliver longer-term joint support and improved mobility.
- Chronic Osteoarthritis: Orthovisc better supports joint cushioning and lubrication in degenerative conditions.
- Steroid Intolerance or Contraindications: Safer for patients with diabetes or high blood pressure, who may need to avoid steroids.
- Frequent Need for Repeated Injections: Steroids are limited due to cartilage damage risk with repeated use, while Orthovisc can be administered periodically with fewer concerns.
- Milder Inflammatory Symptoms: When inflammation is moderate, Orthovisc alone may be sufficient.
- Desire to Avoid Hormonal Side Effects: Orthovisc provides relief without affecting hormone levels or metabolism.
- Combination Therapy: It can complement physical therapy and gentle anti-inflammatories for comprehensive osteoarthritis management.
Conclusion
Orthovisc is not a steroid injection. It’s a hyaluronic acid–based therapy designed to restore lubrication, cushioning, and movement in osteoarthritic joints. While steroids act fast by suppressing inflammation, Orthovisc works gradually to improve mechanical function and protect cartilage.
The right choice depends on the patient’s needs: rapid relief versus sustained joint support. For long-term management, Orthovisc’s safety profile and repeatability make it a reliable non-steroidal alternative. Understanding how Orthovisc differs from corticosteroids helps patients and providers make informed, confident decisions about managing knee osteoarthritis.
FAQs
1. Is Orthovisc a steroid?
No. Orthovisc is a hyaluronic acid injection, not a corticosteroid. It improves lubrication and cushioning in the joint rather than reducing inflammation through hormones.
2. How long does Orthovisc take to work compared to a steroid injection?
Steroids often act within hours, while Orthovisc may take several weeks to show results. Studies suggest that peak relief often occurs 4–12 weeks after treatment.
3. Can a patient get repeat treatments of Orthovisc like steroid injections?
Yes. Patients can usually repeat Orthovisc treatments after several months, without the cartilage damage associated with long-term steroid use.
4. Which patients will benefit most from Orthovisc injections?
Patients with knee osteoarthritis, steroid intolerance, or those looking to avoid hormone-related side effects often respond best to Orthovisc.
5. Does Orthovisc treat inflammation as steroids do?
Not directly. Orthovisc does not suppress inflammation, but it helps reduce friction and joint stress, which may in turn decrease inflammatory irritation over time.
References
NHS England. Osteoarthritis – Treatment and support. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/treatment/
Arroll B, Goodyear-Smith F. Corticosteroid injections for osteoarthritis of the knee: meta-analysis. BMJ. 2004;328(7444):869. doi:10.1136/bmj.38039.573970.7c
Corticosteroids. Arthritis Foundation. https://www.arthritis.org/drug-guide/corticosteroids/corticosteroids
