Pros and Cons of Rooster Comb Injections

There are numerous methods for treating arthritis pain. Medications can be administered orally or topically. Surgical intervention is another possibility. Rooster Comb Injections are a non-surgical "natural" method of treating knee pain.

The compound derived from the rooster is known as hyaluronic acid. Hyaluronic acid injections, also known as viscosupplementation, are a common method of treating osteoarthritis in the knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, and ankle. Currently, the FDA and insurance companies have approved it for use in the knee, although additional research is being conducted on all other joints. Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring molecule found in healthy cartilage. Hyaluronic acid levels are lower in unhealthy or arthritic cartilage.

Osteoarthritis of the knee is very similar to osteoarthritis of the ankle or shoulder. It is a disease of the articular cartilage, which is the protective cartilage that surrounds the bone.

Osteoarthritis occurs when the articular cartilage degrades or erodes (as a result of injury, wear, and tear aging, or genetic factors). 

Hyaluronic acid injections are effective for relieving joint pain, lubricating the joint, and replenishing the joint's hyaluronic acid supply. Additionally, the injection stimulates the joint's production of this critical molecule. Three injections are given one week apart. Patients have reported experiencing less pain following these injections. Often, insurance plans will cover the cost of these injections, and for some patients, these injections can delay or prevent the need for a knee replacement.

The rooster comb injections are made from the small red substance found on the rooster's head. The rooster comb, also known as the chicken comb, is used to extract hyaluronic acid.

Initially, the products were made from rooster comb. It was initially marketed and used as a 'viscosupplement.' It is becoming more common for second-generation products to be non-avian, or not descended from roosters.

The second generation was developed as a result of bacterial sources. Certain strains of bacteria are beneficial to our health in the world of medicine. Thus, hyaluronic acid can be fermented directly from the rooster's comb.

Pros of Rooster Comb Injections

• Arthritic joint discomfort can be relieved by multiple injections. Despite the odd name, rooster comb injections, also known as hyaluronic acid injections or viscosupplementation, are quite successful at reducing inflammation. In the late 1990s, the first rooster comb injection for the treatment of human arthritis was approved.
• Rooster comb injections not only relieve pain and inflammation, but they can also enhance overall joint motion.
• Corticosteroids reduce inflammation and block pain receptors, but the hyaluronic acid in rooster comb shots also lubricates the surfaces of the joints.
• Rooster comb injections also have a longer duration of action than the average corticosteroid shot, typically lasting six months or more.
• Hyaluronic acid, like plasma-rich platelets, is most helpful when used in the early stages of the disease.
• In comparison to other injectable therapies, rooster comb injections have extremely minimal negative effects.

Cons of Rooster Comb Injections

There is no proof that rooster comb injections may reverse the arthritic process or regenerate cartilage, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). While this is not a cure, it can provide prolonged comfort and can be an effective approach to postpone joint surgery.

Common side effects may include: 

• Pain or discomfort in the area where the medicine was injected; 
• Muscle pain or trouble walking
• Fever or chills
• A prickly feeling in your skin around the knee
• Headache
• Itching or skin irritation around the knee