Hyaluronic Acid Injections

Hyaluronic Acid (HA), is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring joint lubricant. As well as aiding shock absorbency, injecting HA helps to enhance the health of joints by improving the lubrication of the joint surfaces – we like to think of it like WD-40 for your joints! It is also often delivered in combination with a steroid to provide a larger anti inflammatory effect and pain relief. This will help those who are experiencing pain but do not yet want to undergo joint replacement surgery.

HA is very powerful at treating joints with Osteoarthritic changes that are causing pain and inflammation. Osteoarthritis is a natural consequence of aging, however, some people have degenerative changes that cause the joint to become swollen, inflamed and painful. This is often in combination with joint stiffness and pain doing normal activities like walking and climbing up and down the stairs.

It can be injected into any joint from large joints such as the hip and the knee to the fingers and toes!

There are many different brands of HA. At the clinic we use Ostenil, Ostenil Plus, Synvics and Durolane

Before the procedure

At your initial consultation, the doctor will take time to understand your symptoms and undertake a thorough assessment to ensure the injection is right for you. It is important to let the doctor know of any known allergies, such as plasters and to inform us if you are pregnant. Please also let the doctor know if you have any medical conditions and take any regular medications including blood thinning medications. This is also a great opportunity to ask the doctor any questions you may have about the procedure.

Prior to your procedure, eat and drink as normal and take any regular medication as usual (unless advised otherwise by the doctor). Please come to your appointment wearing loose, comfortable clothing.

What to expect during the procedure

The doctor will explain everything to you before your procedure and ask you to sign a consent form to confirm that you are happy to proceed.

The injections are performed using our high-tech fluoroscopic x-ray or Ultrasound for guidance and precision, by using this image guidance for accuracy and safety, the doctor can be confident the injectate is being delivered to the desired location.

Local anaesthetic is used on the injection point to make the procedure as comfortable as possible for you, some patients experience feelings of pressure as the fluid is injected however most patients are often surprised at how quick and comfortable the process is.

Many of our patients have experienced relief within as little as 48 hours, however, it takes the HA around 2 weeks to start working physiologically, so do not worry if you do not feel any benefit immediately after your injection.

A lot of our patients find the effects of the injection tend to last for at least 3 months, often much longer when combined with a personalised rehab plan, which can be provided by one of our experienced therapists here at the Back and Body Clinic.