Relive Physiotherapy - Hyaluronic Acid Injection

A Hyaluronic Acid Supplement Injection, which is also known as a Cartilage Supplement or a Sodium Hyaluronate Injection, is given mainly for Osteoarthritis and arthritic symptoms. It is NOT a drug. It is used for conditions such as Osteoarthritis and it can be injected into the knee, the shoulder, the ankle, the hip or the elbow. At every major joint in your body, there are bones that come together and these joints allow you to do things such as bend. Within these joints, there is a fluid called the ‘synovial’ fluid which acts as a lubricant to stop the bones from grinding against each other. When you have a natural shortage of synovial fluid in the joints, as for example in Osteoarthritis, the bones grate against each other and this causes a great deal of pain. The Hyaluronic Acid Supplement is a natural ingredient that can be used to replace or supplement the synovial fluid, which will naturally reduce any pain.

This injection does not have many contraindications, which means it is suitable for just about everybody. The other difference with a Corticosteroid Injection is that as it is not a drug, there is not limit on how many injections you can have.

What Can We Treat?

Osteoarthritis of any joints (except spine)
Certain tendon injuries

Does This Sound Like You?

I’m in pain all of the time and it is stopping me from walking, playing with my children/ grandchildren and making me generally inactive.
The pain in my back means I can’t exercise properly.
I have been missing out on the sport(s) I love.
It’s too painful to do my job, so I have been off work. I don’t get paid properly when I am off work.
The exercises that I have tried from the internet have not worked.

If this sounds like you, please get in touch!

Request Callback

Anything else I need to know before coming?

Yes, there are a few more things to let you know about.

If you have an infection in the area where you want to have your injection, then you will need to delay coming in until it has cleared up.

You should take it easier in the first 2 weeks after your steroid injection (please follow the instructions from your clinician as this may vary from one region to another). If you get too excited about all the things that you can now do that you couldn’t do before and overdo it, then it can reduce how effective the corticosteroids are.

When your Physiotherapist gives you exercises to help with your recovery, then you should do these. It means that you recover quicker and see the effects of your Injection Therapy for longer.

The injection itself can take between 2 days and 2 weeks to really take effect, but you will see the best results after 4-6 weeks. This is why we like to book a follow up appointment with you to see how you are doing and to monitor the improvement.

Some people ask us about injections into the Spine. This is a specialised medical procedure and we do NOT offer this service.

Before we agree to do the injection, we will talk about your medical history and your lifestyle. There are some important things that you need to tell us as incorrect information could adversely affect your health if we go ahead with the treatment. These are:

Allergies to medication, especially local anaesthetic
You are already taking steroids, epileptic or diabetic medication
You have had surgery or are about to have surgery in the affected area
You have an infection or if you feeling feverish/ unwell
You are pregnant or are breastfeeding
You do not want the injection
You are taking blood thinners or are on immunosuppressants
You are taking medication for nerve blocking, peptic ulcer or fungal

Who will be doing the Injection?

Mr. Raj Gandhi (insert hyperlink to Raj’s profile) is not only the founder and Principal Physiotherapist at Relive Physiotherapy but has also been a qualified Non-Medical Prescriber. He is an Expert Injection Therapist in Chester and has been passionately practising injection therapy for more than 10 years. He does hundreds of injections every year for all sorts of people with all sorts of conditions. He is highly trained, and the courses and qualifications he has done mean he can do joint and soft tissue injections.

His number one goal is to help people overcome their pain. He is passionate about Physiotherapy and Injection Therapy to return people back to health and his personal mission is to support each and every person that he sees throughout the whole process. He wants you to be relaxed and confident as this gives the best results and he will move at a speed that you feel comfortable with.

His best advice for people coming to the Clinic is to wear comfortable, loose clothing which can make the area being treated easily accessible. Once you have had the injection, the first 20 minutes are really important, as any side-effects usually come on within this time. We recommend you have a drink and wait in the waiting room after the procedure, just to check that you are OK. If you feel fine after this, then you can be on your way to do your usual everyday activities.

It sounds great. Are there any side effects from a cortisone injection?

Although these are rare and mild from a corticosteroid injection, there can be :

Skin discolouration and/ or dimpling where you had the injection
Bruising where you had the injection
An increase in pain for the first 48 hours – you can safely take pain killers if this helps to relieve any discomfort
Mild facial flushing which can last up to 48 hours, but will go naturally

If you suffer any of the above side effects, it is important to let us know immediately. Infection and allergic reactions are extremely rare but can happen. If the area that has been injected becomes red, hot, tender, swollen or you get a temperature, then you should inform us and seek medical help immediately.

We will do our very best to keep your side effects to a minimum. Raj will never use more than the recommended dose and he will use the most modern techniques to make sure we keep you safe. He will look at the area where you are going to have the injection and make sure that there is nothing that is stopping the injection from happening. He will thoroughly clean the area before injecting and use sterile equipment, washing his hands before putting on his gloves. Our priorities are your safety and minimising the chances of any side effects.

Will I need to come back for another injection?

Most of the time, one injection is enough, but it depends on the person. Some people need to have more than one injection to see the full benefits. This all depends on how well your body absorbs and reacts to the medication.

A Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid Supplement) Injection can last upwards of a year.

As a Hyaluronic Acid Supplement Injection is NOT a drug, it is recommended to have a top up on an annual basis. Our specialised team will look after you throughout this process and let you know when your top up is due.

Unlike steroid injections, there are NO restrictions on how often you can have an injection, nor how many you can have.

Preparation :

Raj will explain what he is going to do, how it works and answer any questions that you might have.
You will chat about your medical history and lifestyle and Raj will ask you for a list of any medication you are currently taking (if you have a list written down, then this is even better!)
Please wear comfortable/ loose clothes which allow easy access to where you are having the injection (eg. Shorts for the knee, T-shirt for the elbow etc)
Bring somebody with you who can drive you home afterwards. Of course, you should be fine and able to drive immediately afterwards, but we never know the reaction you might have to the injection, so we prefer to be careful. They can come to the room with you for moral support or wait in reception, where we will give them a drink and a biscuit (which they can say no to!)

After your injection :

Rest the injected area for a couple of days.
You should be able to drive immediately afterwards, but we would not recommend making a long journey straightaway.
Pay close attention to where the needle went in to make sure that there is no infection. If you are in any doubt, then please contact a medical professional at the earliest opportunity.
Please do the exercise plan that Raj has designed especially for you.

If you are taking painkillers, you can continue taking them after the injection if needed. You might be a little sore from where Raj injected you, but that should go away within 24-48 hours.

Hyaluronic Acid Injection