Advanced Osteoarthritis with Frozen Shoulder and treatment with Hyaluronic Acid Injections

otari_99

I was recently diagnosed with this lovely disease, both in my right shoulder. Started a series of injections of hyaluronic acid gel (didn't want cortisone). I ended up having my 2nd injection of the HA series mixed with cortisone last Thursday.

In the mean time, I have continued using Ibuprofen for pain management in the smallest doses I can get away with (approximately 200 to 400mg every 12 hours). Working on my PT routine, as well.

The HA injections could take up to 7 weeks to be effective and the cortisone might kick in within a few days from now.

Just wondering if anyone here has experience with HA injections for shoulder OA?

Thanks!

annabanana

hi @otari_99 , first of all I would like to welcome you to the online community, it’s great to have you here! Unfortunately I do not have any personal experience with HA injections as I have only ever received kenalog injections, hopefully someone with a similar experience will come and discuss their experiences, however for now I have attached a link on hyaluronan injections. Good luck!

https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/hyaluronan-injections/

otari_99

Hi Annabanana,

Thanks for the welcome and the link. I also came across an encouraging report on HA in a medical journal…

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4469223/

Here's the latest on my situation…

I had very short-term relief subsequent to the cortisone / HA injection mix. At this point, I can only conclude that the cortisone is a "fail" for me.

I had my last injection of the HA series a few days ago, so relief from that could still be approximately 3 weeks out.

We'll see🙂.

For now, I'm continuing with a minimal Ibuprofen dosage strategy and very light PT.

otari_99

Hi Annabanana et al,

Here's another link to a very positive medical journal report on use of HA to treat OA;

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5738473/

Here's the link to the report which I had attempted to post in my prior thread…

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4469223/

Thanks!

otari_99

Hello all,

I hope you're feeing well.

I am very happy to report, that finally, after approximately 11 weeks subsequent to my last hyaluronic acid injection series , I am completely pain free in my right shoulder without the use of the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, Ibuprofen.

Movement is reasonable, but of course, still have limited range of motion.

Here's the long, but abbreviated story...

As reported prior, x-rays revealed advanced glenohumeral osteoarthritis in my right shoulder in late December 2024. Frozen shoulder was added to the diagnosis a bit later.

I was directed to use NSIADs as needed and to pursue physical therapy. Over time, I ended up taking 400mg Ibuprofen twice daily.

An important observation was that subsequent to each PT session, I felt considerably worse.

I stopped the PT routine.

Finally, on June 6, 2025, I had an MRI, which revealed multiple tendon tears and fraying, bursitis and additional arthritis among other pathologies.

The issue with PT now made sense. Perhaps I was inflaming an already very messed up situation.

After seeing recently a surgeon, I was referred for consultation on PRP therapy. Coincidentally, the timing was such that I had noticed less tightness in my shoulder, so had started reducing (and subsequently stopped) my Ibuprofen intake.

I have decided not to pursue PRP now that I'm pain free. I'm planning for my next HA injection series in September. PRP is off the table unless my situation changes.