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    Gold Injections for Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis Pain

    Are you suffering from knee and hip pain and stiffness? You may have osteoarthritis, a disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Fortunately, a potentially existing medical protocol of Gold Particle Injections may offer an alternative to expensive procedures like knee replacement therapy.

    Should You Use Gold Injections for Knee and Hip Osteoarthritis Pain?

    We say yes! This is an outcome of years of research by Danish & American medical scientists. Pilot human clinical trials are very promising. Advanced clinical trials are in works in the direction to get FDA approval. Currently, the procedure is available in Mexico & Denmark (administered by an American medical scientist).

    TKR vs. Gold Injections

    What Is a Gold Shot for Osteoarthritis?

    Gold Particles Injection therapy is a procedure where a physician implants a one-time low-dose of small particles of 99.99% pure elemental gold directly into the patient’s joint.

    According to Dr. Chris Fredrickson, the treatment is safe, and it can help relieve arthritic pain in the long-term. This helps avoid an invasive knee or hip replacement or any related invasive surgery and cost.

    Rheumatoid Arthritis vs. Osteoarthritis

    Rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis are two common forms of arthritis. Although they can cause similar symptoms, there are some differences between the two.

    Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory disease in which your immune system attacks your joints, especially the hands, wrists, and feet. People with rheumatoid arthritis can have joint stiffness that lasts for hours.[1]Havard Health Is it osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis? ” Occasionally, prolonged joint stiffness in the morning is the first symptom of rheumatoid arthritis.” View in Article

    Osteoarthritis is a chronic disease that also causes joints to become painful and stiff. The joints that are most often affected are the knee and hips. Problems in the small joints of the hands are also common.[2]Public Health England Symptoms of osteoarthritis “Almost any joint can be affected by osteoarthritis, but the condition most often causes problems in the knees, hips and small joints of the hands.” View in Article

    Osteoarthritis can have a significant impact on your quality of life and productivity. Chronic pain makes it challenging to complete even the simplest daily activities. That is why osteoarthritis is the leading cause of disability worldwide.[3]Medscape Osteoarthritis “On the basis of the radiographic criteria for osteoarthritis, more 50% of adults older than 65 years are affected by the disease. Internationally, osteoarthritis is the most common articular disease. “ View in Article

    As discussed previously, there is no cure for these diseases. Many patients rely on painkillers, which have limited efficacy. Thus, the use of injections is a promising alternative to reduce inflammation and pain in your joints.

    Gold Injections for Rheumatoid Arthritis vs. Osteoarthritis

    Doctors have been using gold injections to treat rheumatoid arthritis since the early 20th century. Injections made of gold salts, including auranofin and gold sodium thiomalate, were used to reduce joint pain and inflammation. However, their use started to decline in the ’90s due to the occurrence of side effects, giving place to other injections such as methotrexate, hyaluronic acid, platelet-rich plasma, and placental tissue matrix.[4]Cochrane Library Injectable gold for rheumatoid arthritis “…in the past decade the use of injectable gold for rheumatoid arthritis has markedly declined, and its clinical usefulness has been doubted.” View in Article

    In turn, Gold Particles Injection may help to reduce joint pain and inflammation in both conditions. As Dr. Robert MacLauchlan explains in this video, 20 milligrams of small gold particles are used to suppress the pain and the inflammation of joints only when needed. These particles interact with the body’s immune system, stimulating the release of substances to stop pain and inflammation pathways. The level of inflammation determines how much of the ion complexes are released from the microparticles.

    One of the greatest things about this treatment is that it allows people to have the freedom and mobility without the pain that they were experiencing before. We’ve had people be able to go up and downstairs, not just like one floor, but go up and downstairs at a lighthouse. – Dr. Robert MacLauchlan says.

    Do They Still Give Gold Shots for Arthritis?

    Myocrisin (Sodium aurothiomalate) and Solganal (aurothioglucose) injections are no longer available in the U.S. The FDA-approved gold salt Auranofin is an oral capsule indicated for rheumatoid arthritis treatment.

    However, oral gold may not be as effective as injected gold. Also, it offers more toxicity than other drugs used in the treatment of arthritis.[5]UW Medicine About gold treatment ” In general oral gold may cause fewer side effects but may not be as effective as injectable gold.” View in Article

    Although gold shots have become rare, some scientists still believe gold salts deserve a second chance.

    “We shouldn’t dismiss gold salts so quickly. We scientists have really never understood why gold works. Now that we have a better handle on its action, we may be able to use that mechanism to create new and better gold-like drugs to treat arthritis,” – Says Dr. David Pisetsky, chief of the division of rheumatology and immunology in the department of medicine at Duke University.[6]Science Daily How Gold Salts Ease Pain Of Arthritis “Dr. David Pisetsky, chief of the division of rheumatology and immunology in the department of medicine at Duke, says “we shouldn’t dismiss gold salts so quickly. We scientists have really never understood why gold works….” View in Article

    Is Gold Anti-Inflammatory?

    Gold salts are known for their immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory effects. The mechanism of action of these drugs is not fully understood.

    Sodium aurothiomalate may inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins (hormones created at the injury site).[7]Drug Bank Sodium aurothiomalate “It is known that sodium aurothiomalate inhibits the synthesis of prostaglandins” View in Article Aurothioglucose inhibits the activity of an enzyme called adenylyl cyclase in our immune cells, blocking the action of pro-inflammatory substances.
    [8]Drug Bank Aurothioglucose “In particular, such inhibition of the activity of adenylyl cyclase and its various isoforms would theoretically also limit the cyclases’ ability to induce mast cell degranulation and histamine release…all of which are pro-inflammatory actions” View in Article Auranofin can also suppress inflammation by inhibiting the activity of certain enzymes.[9]Drug Bank Auranofin “Auranofin is a gold salt that is capable of eliciting pharmacologic actions that suppress inflammation and stimulate cell-mediated immunity.” View in Article

    What Are the Benefits of Gold Therapy?

    A pilot study conducted at the Aalborg University Hospital, Aalborg, Denmark investigated the role of gold ions in treating knee osteoarthritis. Thirty patients with moderate to severe knee osteoarthritis received a single injection of metallic gold (20 mg) into the knee joint. The researchers observed the following benefits of the therapy:[10]Aalborg University Hospital Pilot Study > Results “Pain and function improved in 25 of 30 patients. Womac pain decreased from 9 (6-16) to 3 (0-15), stiffness from 4 (1-8) to 2 (0-8), function from 29 (14-51) to 11 (0- 41) (Figure 4), PainDetect decreased from 10 (1-26) to 3 (0-19) (Figure 5)…” View in Article

    • An improvement in the WOMAC score – a self questionnaire that evaluates the condition of patients with knee and hip osteoarthritis
    • Improved joint pain
    • Improved joint function
    • An improvement in joint stiffness

    The authors of the study concluded that intra-articular metallic gold improved joint pain, stiffness, and function. The therapy relieved pain and enhanced function in more than 80% of the patients.[11]Aalborg University Hospital Pilot Study > Results “Pain and function improved in 25 of 30 patients.” View in Article

    A study investigated the effects of metallic gold implanted around painful joints in animal models. Dogs with pain and loss of function due to hip dysplasia that received gold transplants had less pain and loss of function compared to those that didn’t. After two years, 80% of the animals still showed a positive effect of the treatment, with reduced pain and better quality of life.[12]Science Daily Pain Of Dysplasia In Dogs “After two years, 80% of the dogs still showed a positive effect of treatment.” View in Article

    Gold Injections From Sodium Aurothiomalate vs. Gold Particles for Knee/Hip Pain

    Gold Injections From Sodium Aurothiomalate Gold Particles
    Applied to the patient’s muscles A small number of gold microbeads injected into the affected joint
    Weekly dose One-time injection
    The treatment can last several weeks Immediate and long-lasting relief for chronic pain in the knee or hip
    Several side effects Less potential of causing side effects

    The injections composed of gold salts like sodium aurothiomalate (Myochrysine) are applied to the patient’s muscles. The patients receive a weekly dose, and the treatment continues for several weeks until toxicity occurs. The maintenance treatment consists of an injection every 2-4 weeks.[13]Sanofi-aventis Canada Inc. MYOCHRYSINE® Sodium aurothiomalate “Maintenance: 50 mg I.M. tapered progressively to every 2 to 4 weeks according to clinical response and tolerance, and maintained indefinitely” View in Article

    In turn, the gold particles therapy consists of gold microbeads injected into the affected joint. A small amount, 20 mg of gold microbeads, is injected into your joint’s intraarticular space. Once injected, your immune system stimulates the release of soluble ions that suppress the inflammation.

    These ions are the same active metabolite of gold salts used in Auranofin and Myochrysine, well-known anti-rheumatoid drugs. However, this therapy is local and uses a much smaller amount than what is used in systemic treatments. Thus, it has less potential to cause side effects.

    A one-time injection into an arthritic joint has shown to reduce or eliminate joint pain and significantly improve mobility. This therapy offers immediate and long-lasting relief for people with chronic pain in the knee or hip.

    Gold Injections From Sodium Aurothiomalate vs. Gold Particles for Knee/Hip Pain

    Gold Injections From Sodium Aurothiomalate Gold Particles
    Applied to the patient’s muscles A small number of gold microbeads injected into the affected joint
    Weekly dose One-time injection
    The treatment can last several weeks Immediate and long-lasting relief for chronic pain in the knee or hip
    Several side effects Less potential of causing side effects

    The injections composed of gold salts like sodium aurothiomalate (Myochrysine) are applied to the patient’s muscles. The patients receive a weekly dose, and the treatment continues for several weeks until toxicity occurs. The maintenance treatment consists of an injection every 2-4 weeks (12).

    In turn, the gold particles therapy consists of gold microbeads injected into the affected joint. A small amount, 20 mg of gold microbeads, is injected into your joint’s intraarticular space. Once injected, your immune system stimulates the release of soluble ions that suppress the inflammation (13).

    These ions are the same active metabolite of gold salts used in Auranofin and Myochrysine, well-known anti-rheumatoid drugs. However, this therapy is local and uses a much smaller amount than what is used in systemic treatments. Thus, it has less potential to cause side effects (13).

    A one-time injection into an arthritic joint has shown to reduce or eliminate joint pain and significantly improve mobility. This therapy offers immediate and long-lasting relief for people with chronic pain in the knee or hip (13).

    Conclusion

    Osteoarthritis is a chronic and disabling disease that can make it difficult to perform everyday tasks, impacting patients’ quality of life and productivity.

    The disease has no cure, and treatment is based on pain medications, which cause several undesirable adverse events. Another option is surgery, an invasive treatment with a difficult recovery.

    The gold injection is a treatment with well-known anti-inflammatory properties. However, these treatments are no longer used in clinical practice due to the occurrence of adverse reactions. These drugs are administered orally or intramuscularly, acting systemically in the body. Also, several doses are required to achieve a therapeutic effect.

    Gold Particles Injection Therapy consists of injecting gold particles into the joints’ intra-articular space. The treatment is local and done only once, which can reduce discomfort and adverse reactions. Preliminary studies have shown that this innovative treatment can reduce pain, inflammation, and knee and hip joints function.

    For relief from your knee or hip pain contact us. We will connect you to a medical professional to know if Gold Particles Injection Therapy is suitable for you.

    References

    1. Health H. Explain the pain – Is it osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis? [Internet]. 2014 [cited 2021 Nov 2]. Available from: https://www.health.harvard.edu/pain/explain-the-pain–is-it-osteoarthritis-or-rheumatoid-arthritis

    2. Public Health England N. Osteoarthritis [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2021 Oct 2]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/osteoarthritis/

    3. Carlos J Lozada, MD; Chief Editor: Herbert S Diamond M. Osteoarthritis [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2021 Oct 2]. Available from: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/330487-overview#a6

    4. Clark P, Tugwell P, Bennett KJ, Bombardier C, Shea B, Wells GA, et al. Injectable gold for rheumatoid arthritis. Cochrane Database Syst Rev [Internet]. 1997;(4). Available from: https://doi.org//10.1002/14651858.CD000520

    5. Medicine U. Gold Treatment [Internet]. [cited 2021 Nov 2]. Available from: https://orthop.washington.edu/patient-care/articles/arthritis/gold-treatment.html

    6. Center. DUM. “How Gold Salts Ease Pain Of Arthritis And Other Inflammatory Diseases.” [Internet]. ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily. 2007 [cited 2021 Nov 2]. Available from: www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/10/071022153109.htm

    7. Bank D. Sodium aurothiomalate [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2021 Dec 2]. Available from: https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB09276

    8. Bank D. Aurothioglucose [Internet]. 2020 [cited 2021 Dec 2]. Available from: https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB09121

    9. Bank D. Auranofin [Internet]. 2021 [cited 2021 Dec 2]. Available from: https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB00995

    10. Rasmussen S, Petersen KK, Arendt-Nielsen L. Intra-articular metallic gold microparticles relieve pain and enhance function in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A pilot study. 2018; https://vbn.aau.dk/ws/portalfiles/portal/286018531/

    11. Norwegian School of Veterinary Science. “Pain Of Dysplasia In Dogs Relieved With Gold Treatment, Study Shows.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 29 June 2009. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/06/090626084633.htm

    12. Aventis S. PrMYOCHRYSINE® Prescribing Information [Internet]. 2019 [cited 2021 Dec 2]. Available from: https://products.sanofi.ca/en/myochrysine.pdf

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