What is Gel-One?
Gel-One Hyaluronate is an injectable “joint fluid replacement” gel. It is approved for the treatment of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee that does not respond to other conservative treatments. It is the first low-volume viscosupplement available in a single-injection formula.
Unlike other viscosupplement treatments, highly purified Gel-One Hyaluronate requires only 3mL for safe and effective treatment of knee arthritis pain with no reports of severe acute inflammatory responses (pseudosepsis).
What Is Gel-One used for?
Gel-One is a single-injection treatment for pain from knee arthritis. It is frequently used after failure of other conservative methods, such as NSADIS, physical therapy, or steroid injections.
What Is hyaluronate?
Hyaluronate is a supplement for the joint fluid. Hyaluronic acid is a protein in normal joint fluid that helps to cushion and lubricate the joint. But when you have arthritis, the natural hyaluronic acid becomes damaged and less effective. Gel-One and other hyaluronate products can be used to help restore the cushioning and lubrication provided by natural hyaluronic acid.
Is Gel-One covered by insurance?
When used for arthritis of the knee, Gel-One may be covered by insurance. Some insurances do not cover Gel-One but will cover other hyaluronate injections. Unfortunately, hyaluronate injection, including Gel-One are not covered for use in other joints such as hips or shoulders.
Some insurance companies allow us to provide this injection for your arthritic knee on the day your doctor orders it. But other insurances require pre-authorization – in that case we handle all the paperwork for you but will have to set up a second appointment about a week later for the injection.
When does it start working? How long does it last?
Gel-One takes longer to begin working that standard steroid injections. You may start to see benefits as early as three weeks after injection. And it can last for weeks to months. It can be given every six months if needed but many patients see benefits longer than that.
(here is a website from Zimmer Biomet with a patient-directed video that you may want to embed here, if possible)
