This type of Injection will improve your mobility and help with joint pain.
It will help you keep your independence, stay fit and active, off painkillers and away from the GP’s surgery.
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.
Osteoarthritis of any joints (except spine)Certain tendon injuries
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 joints means that I can’t exercise properlyI 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. 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 days after your 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:
AllergiesYou are already taking steroids, epileptic or diabetic medication
You have had surgery or are about to have surgery in the affected areaYou have an infection or if you feeling feverish/ unwellYou do not want the injection
Although these are rare and mild from a corticosteroid injection, there can be :
Skin discolouration and/ or dimpling where you had the injectionBruising where you had the injectionAn increase in pain for the first 48 hours – you can safely take pain killers if this helps to relieve any discomfortMild 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.
Click here to arrange a phone consultation with Raj
Click here to download the Injection Therapy brochure that Raj has written for even more information.
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