Ostenil® Injections

Tayloredfit Physio are delighted to be able to offer this revolutionary new treatment for sufferers of Osteoarthritis and many other soft tissue conditions.

Ostenil® Plus is a treatment for the symptoms of osteoarthritis. It can be used in the knee, or in any of the other joints in the body that are classified as ‘synovial’. This is some basic information about synovial joints, about what happens when you get osteoarthritis and about Ostenil® Plus.

What is a synovial joint?

A synovial joint is one in which the ends of the bones are enclosed in a capsule containing a thick, slippery liquid called synovial fluid. This capsule is made of strong, fibrous tissue and is lined with a membrane called the synovial membrane. The bone ends are covered in a smooth layer of a tough, rubbery substance known as cartilage. The synovial fluid in the joint capsule has four important functions: it keeps the bones slightly apart, protecting their cartilage coverings from wear and tear it absorbs shocks, again protecting the cartilage it lubricates the joint, helping it to work freely and easily it acts as a filter, letting nutrients reach the cartilage, but blocking the passage of harmful cells and substances.

The most important component of synovial fluid is a substance called hyaluronic acid. It is this substance that lets synovial fluid perform its four different function all at the same time. Most of the joints in your body are synovial joints. Good examples, besides the knee, include the hip and the shoulder.

What happens in osteoarthritis?

The hyaluronic acid in synovial fluid does not stay there for a whole lifetime but is continuously broken down and replaced. Normally, there is an exact balance between the breakdown of old hyaluronic acid and the production of new hyaluronic acid. In osteoarthritis, however, this balance is disturbed, and breakdown happens faster than production. As a result, the synovial fluid becomes more watery and stops working properly. Due to the change in the synovial fluid – and for other, more complex reasons – the cartilage in the joint gradually wears away. In some places, in fact, the cartilage may eventually disappear altogether.

The thinning of the synovial fluid and wear away of the cartilage lead to the symptoms of osteoarthritis, which include pain, stiffness and swelling. Osteoarthritis develops as people get older and is present in almost everybody over the age of 60 (although not everyone in this age group has bad symptoms). Osteoarthritis of the knee or hip may also occur in younger people, usually (but not always) because these joints have been overloaded. Possible causes of overloading include sports, jobs involving a lot of lifting and carrying, too much bodyweight and abnormal joint developments.

What is Ostenil® Plus, and how does it work?

Ostenil® Plus is a solution containing hyaluronic acid. It is injected into the space in the joint that contains synovial fluid and works by restoring the normal balance between the breakdown and production of hyaluronic acid. This effect of Ostenil® Plus means that is can decrease pain and stiffness and improve the other symptoms of osteoarthritis.The hyaluronic acid in Ostenil® Plus is very pure and is manufactured using a process called fermentation. It contains no animal proteins, which means it is very unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. The addition of Mannitol (a simple sugar derivative) to Ostenil® Plus allows the Hyaluronic Acid to work for longer and more efficiently in the joint, enabling effective symptom reduction with a single injection. Ostenil® Plus has been extensively tested, and has not been found to cause any serious side effects.

The exact make-up of the hyaluronic acid in Ostenil® Plus has been carefully chosen so that it is as effective as possible in treating osteoarthritis. What can I expect if I decide to have treatment with Ostenil® Plus? If you decide to have treatment with Ostenil® Plus, it will be injected directly into the joint affected by osteoarthritis.*

You may not notice any benefit immediately after your injection, but will gradually experience a reduction in pain and stiffness. The improvement in your symptoms is likely to persist for several months, depending on the progression of the degenerative change in the joint being treated.

When effects of your Ostenil® Plus injection begin to wear off, you can safely choose to have another injection if your clinician agrees it is appropriate. Thereafter, you can continue with Ostenil® Plus therapy whenever necessary.

* In some cases your clinician may give more than one injection.

We also offer Ostenil® Mini which is suitable for small joints in the hands and feet. It can relieve pain and improve join mobility in the treatment of thumb and large toe osteoarthritis.

Steroid Injection

Steroid injections are a quick and effective treatment for joint pains, inflammation, and some soft tissue conditions such as tendinopathy. They work by reducing inflammation.

Indications for Steroid Injections

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Tendinitis

The injection, once administered, help to reduce inflammation, joint swelling and pain, improving mobility and function of the joint.

What is injected ?

A small volume of steroid is injected to the joint or around the soft tissue to help relieve pain and inflammation. Local anaesthetic can also be used too.

What should I expect?

Steroid injections take 2-3 days to a week to take effect. Relative rest is advised post injection, nothing too vigorous to allow the steroid to be most effective in relieving pain and inflammation.

Local anaesthetic is faster acting and can help reduce pain in a few minutes, but only lasts approximately 1 hour.

A clinical Specialist will complete a thorough assessment to see if an injection is appropriate and indicated to help relieve your symptoms. Appropriate advice will be provided for you to make an informed decision.

Are there any side effects?

Most injections undertaken are without side effects. There may be some discomfort and pressure from the injection, but this is normal.

Post injection flare is a possible side effect, normally within the first 24 hours . It may last a few days, regular over the counter medication such as paracetamol may help.

There is also the risk of infection at the site of the injection however this is very rare.

For a steroid injection, an injection assessment appointment is required prior to your injection appointment so that the clinician can assess to make sure an injection is appropriate.