COMPOSITIONS AND METHODS FOR TREATING JOINTS
Compositions and methods are provided for treating joint conditions, such as osteoarthritis and/or the pain associated therewith. The compositions and methods utilize a first component, namely hyaluraonic acid (“HA”), in combination with a lyophilized second component that is effective to at least temporarily reduce the viscosity of the HA. In an exemplary embodiment, the second component is one or more glycosaminoglycans (“GAG”), such as chondroitin sulfate (“CS”), including CS4 and/or CS6, dermatan sulfate, heparin, heparan sulfate, and keratan sulfate. The composition can optionally include other joint supplements, such as glucosamine (“GlcN”)
1 . A kit for treating joints, comprising:
a first component comprising hyaluronic acid;
a second component comprising a lyophilized glycosaminoglycan; and
a syringe for injecting a mixture of the first and second components.
2 . The kit of claim 1 , wherein the glycosaminoglycan comprises chondroitin sulfate.
3 . The kit of claim 1 , further comprising a third component comprising glucosamine.
4 . The kit of claim 3 , wherein the glucosamine is lyophilized.
5 . The kit of claim 1 , wherein, when the first and second components are combined to form a mixture, the first and second components are present within the mixture at a ratio of first component to second component in the range of about 1:0.005 to 1:100.
6 . The kit of claim 1 , wherein the syringe has a first chamber containing the first component, and a second container containing the second component, and wherein the syringe includes a plunger configured to inject the second component into the first chamber to mix the first and second components.
7 . The kit of claim 1 , wherein the second component is disposed within a container, and the syringe includes a first chamber containing the first component and a connector for removably coupling the container to the syringe such that a plunger slidably disposed within the first chamber of the syringe can inject the first component into the container to mix the first and second components.
8 . The kit of claim 1 , wherein the hyaluronic acid is lyophilized.
9 . The kit of claim 1 , wherein the hyaluronic acid has a molecular weight in the range of about 1 MDa to 4 MDa.
10 . The kit of claim 1 , wherein the hyaluronic acid has a concentration of at least about 7 mg/ml.
11 . The kit of claim 1 , further comprising a third component comprising a fluid configured to solubilize the first and second components.
12 . The kit of claim 11 , wherein the third component is selected from the group consisting of water, saline, and a buffer.
13 . A method for treating joints, comprising:
combining a first component comprising hyaluronic acid with a second component comprising a lyophilized glycosaminoglycan to form a mixture; and
injecting the mixture into a joint.
14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the glycosaminoglycancomprises chondroitin sulfate.
15 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising a third component comprising glucosamine.
16 . The method of claim 15 , wherein the glucosamine is lyophilized.
17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein a viscosity of the mixture is less than a viscosity of the hyaluronic acid prior to combining.
18 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the hyaluronic acid is lyophilized, and wherein the first and second components are solubilized prior to or during combining the first and second components to form a mixture.
19 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the first and second components are combined in a vial and drawn into a syringe, and wherein the syringe is used to inject the mixture into a joint.
20 . The method of claim 19 , wherein the first and second components are drawn into the syringe within 30 minutes of formation of the mixture.