| How Depletion of Hyaluronic Acid Affects Your Joints (reproduced from the WebMed web site (http://www.webmd.com/osteoarthritis/healthtool-osteoarthritis-affects-your-knee ) with additions |
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| Healthy Joint |
| In a healthy joint, a rubbery tissue called cartilage cushions the ends of the bones at contact points. A thin, smooth tissue called the synovial membrane covers the other surfaces and releases synovial fluid into joint cavity that lubricates the knee. Synovial fluid is made of hyaluronic acid and lubricin, proteinases and collagenases. Normal synovial fluid contains 3-4 mg/ml hyaluronan [hyaluronic acid ] |
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Thigh Bone Cartilage Synovial Membrane Synovial Fluid Shin Bone |
| Problem Joints |
| Problems in the joints begin with the gradual depletion of HA that causes deterioration of cartilage and decrease in volume of synovial fluid*. Without the protective cartilage, the bones begin to rub together, causing pain, loss of mobility, and deformity |