Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Hyaluronic Acid is a synthetic version of a naturally occurring joint lubricant. Normal levels of natural Hyaluronic Acid often reduce by up to 3x with joint wear and tear. Research shows that it helps to improve the health of joints (especially knees and hips) by improving the lubrication of the joint surfaces as well as aiding natural shock absorbency. We like to think of it like WD-40 for your joints!
Do I need a
Hyaluronic Acid injection?
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is most effectively used in people suffering with pain and disability associated with osteoarthritis. It is usually delivered in combination with a steroid to provide longer term pain relief and improve joint surface lubrication for people who are struggling to manage their knee pain but do not yet want to undergo joint replacement surgery.
What to Expect?
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Your Hyaluronic Acid questions answered
What is Hyaluronic Acid?
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.
What conditions do Hyaluronic Acid injections help with?
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!
What are different types of Hyaluronic Acid injections
There are many different brands of HA. At the clinic we use Ostenil, Ostenil Plus, Synvics and Durolane
What should I expect before and during my Hyluronic acid injection appointment?
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.
How long will my Hyaluronic Acid injection take to work?
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.
How long will my Hyaluronic Acid injection last for?
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.