Hyaluronic Acid Injections

What are Hyaluronic Acid Injections?

Hyaluronic acid injections are minimally invasive treatments used to relieve joint pain, reduce inflammation, and improve mobility in patients suffering from osteoarthritis and degenerative joint conditions. These injections work by restoring lubrication and cushioning within the joint, helping reduce friction and discomfort during movement.

At Spine and Pain Specialty Care, Dr. Edward Shen offers advanced hyaluronic acid injections to help New Jersey patients manage chronic joint pain and improve function without surgery.

Dr. Edward Shen is a Harvard-educated, double board-certified physician in Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology and serves as Pain Division Chief at Trinitas Regional Medical Center in Elizabeth. He performs hyaluronic acid injections using live ultrasound guidance so the medication is placed accurately within the joint space for the best possible result.

How Hyaluronic Acid Helps Joint Pain

Healthy joints contain synovial fluid rich in hyaluronic acid which cushions the cartilage and reduces joint friction. When arthritis or degeneration occurs, this fluid becomes thinner and less effective.

Hyaluronic acid injections help replenish joint lubrication, improve shock absorption, and reduce painful bone-on-bone contact inside the joint.

Hyaluronic acid injections may help:

• Improve joint lubrication
• Reduce inflammation
• Decrease joint stiffness
• Improve flexibility and range of motion
• Relieve chronic joint pain
• Enhance mobility and daily function

These injections are commonly used as part of a comprehensive non-surgical joint pain treatment plan.

Conditions Treated with Hyaluronic Acid Injections

Hyaluronic acid injections are most used to treat osteoarthritis and chronic joint pain affecting weight-bearing joints.

Conditions commonly treated include:

• Knee osteoarthritis
• Chronic knee pain
• Joint degeneration
• Arthritis-related joint pain
• Mild to moderate osteoarthritis
• Cartilage wear and tear
• Joint inflammation
• Sports-related joint injuries
• Age-related joint deterioration

Although knee pain is the most common reason for treatment, hyaluronic acid injections may also be used in select cases involving other joints.

Benefits of Hyaluronic Acid Injections

Hyaluronic acid injections offer a non-surgical option for patients seeking long-term joint pain relief.

Potential benefits include:

• Reduced joint pain and stiffness
• Improved joint movement and flexibility
• Increased mobility
• Enhanced physical activity tolerance
• Delayed need for joint replacement surgery
• Reduced inflammation
• Improved quality of life
• Minimally invasive outpatient treatment
• Reduced reliance on oral pain medications

Many patients experience gradual improvement over several weeks following treatment.

Orthopedic Care for Joint Arthritis

Hyaluronic acid injections are part of the orthopedic and interventional pain care offered at Spine and Pain Specialty Care. Dr. Shen uses live ultrasound guidance to place the medication precisely within the joint, restoring cushioning and lubrication where it is needed most, all within our dedicated in-office procedure suite.

Who is a Candidate for Hyaluronic Acid Injections?

Hyaluronic acid injections may be recommended for patients who:

• Have mild to moderate osteoarthritis
• Experience chronic knee or joint pain
• Have not achieved sufficient relief from medications or therapy
• Want to delay or avoid surgery
• Are seeking minimally invasive joint pain treatment

Patients who continue experiencing pain despite conservative care may benefit from evaluation by a NJ pain management specialist.

Serving Patients Across Elizabeth & Union County

Spine and Pain Specialty Care is located in Elizabeth and treats patients from across Union County and the surrounding area, including Linden, Roselle, Roselle Park, Hillside, Union, Cranford, Clark, and Newark. The office is easily reached from Route 1&9, the Garden State Parkway, and the New Jersey Turnpike. Se Habla Espanol – our team supports Spanish-speaking patients throughout their care.

Non-Surgical Joint Pain Treatment in Elizabeth, NJ

At Spine and Pain Specialty Care, Dr. Edward Shen provides personalized treatment plans for patients suffering from chronic joint pain and arthritis. We accept most commercial insurance plans, PPO, workers’ compensation, no-fault/PIP auto insurance, and slip-and-fall cases.

Using minimally invasive procedures such as hyaluronic acid injections, our goal is to help patients reduce pain, improve mobility, and return to everyday activities with greater comfort and confidence.

Call (908) 818-1600 today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Edward Shen and learn whether hyaluronic acid injections are right for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be evaluated and treated on the same day?

Often, yes. In many cases Dr. Shen can provide evaluation, diagnosis – including in-office X-ray or ultrasound imaging – and treatment in a single visit, so you can start getting relief without waiting.

How are hyaluronic acid injections different from a cortisone shot?

They work differently. A cortisone injection reduces inflammation, while hyaluronic acid restores the natural lubrication and cushioning in the joint. Dr. Shen will advise which approach, or combination, best fits your joint and your goals.

How long does relief from hyaluronic acid injections last?

Relief is individual. The goal is to restore cushioning and lubrication in the joint so you can move more comfortably. Many patients experience lasting relief, and the treatment can be safely repeated over time.

Is the treatment a single injection or a series?

Hyaluronic acid is usually given as a series of three or four injections spaced about a week apart, depending on the product used and your joint. Dr. Shen will recommend the schedule that fits your situation.

Do you treat joint pain from a car accident or work injury?

Yes. Dr. Shen regularly treats joint injuries from motor vehicle accidents and work-related incidents, and the practice accepts no-fault/PIP auto insurance and workers’ compensation, handling the documentation these claims require.

Spine and Pain Specialty Care Practice Summary

Practice Name: Spine and Pain Specialty Care
Physician: Dr. Edward Shen, MD
Credentials: Harvard-educated, double board-certified in Pain Medicine and Anesthesiology; Pain Division Chief at Trinitas Regional Medical Center
Location: 219 S. Broad Street, Elizabeth, NJ 07202
Serving: Elizabeth, Union County, and surrounding New Jersey communities
Conditions: Knee osteoarthritis, chronic joint pain, cartilage wear, arthritis-related joint pain, and age-related joint deterioration
Insurance: Most commercial insurance plans, PPO, workers’ compensation, no-fault/PIP auto insurance, and slip-and-fall claims
Languages: English and Spanish (Se Habla Espanol)
Phone: (908) 818-1600