Some of you have probably heard about hyaluronic acid by now and its benefits as it has taken the skin world by storm, helping people to keep that youthful appearance and look after their skin.
But… what about its other benefits?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a substance that naturally exists in the human body which works by trapping moisture inside cells to keep them hydrated. This is one reason why it is so good for the skin! Inside joints, however, HA is a critical component of synovial fluid, which lubricates the joints and cushions the bones as we move.
Osteoarthritis (OA) was classically known as ‘wear and tear’ or ‘degeneration’ associated with general ageing. What we now know is that the disease affects the entire joint – bone, cartilage, ligaments, fat and tissues that line the joints. It degrades cartilage, changes the shape of the bone and causes inflammation which results in stiffness, loss of joint mobility and creates pain. With all this, the quality and amount of HA in the synovial fluid decreases.
OA classically tends to affect individuals over the age of 50 but can be present in younger people too, especially those who have had a history of joint injuries over the years. It typically affects the hands, knees, hips and lower back and neck but can be present in any joint.
The research
What we have learnt over the years is how best to manage OA, reduce pain and improve mobility, to maintain a good quality of life. Movement is vital and there is no evidence to suggest activities like running accelerate the condition but rather, the right kinds of exercise can be beneficial.
HA can also help joints affected by OA by improving the synovial fluid / ‘lubrication’ thus making the joint feel smoother again in movement and reducing pain. It is not a cure but can provide relief for several months, sometimes even more. People tend to find that periodic injections maintain the effects and allow for a more comfortable, fulfilling lifestyle.
What do clients say?
At Walnut Grove we have a sports consultant, Dr Jonathan Williams, who works with various high-level and national sports teams including England Hockey and specialises in joint injections. At Walnut Grove we use Ostenil Plus for our hyaluronic acid injections, which means rather than the course of x3 injections, you need just one. We also stock Ostenil Mini, for those smaller joints such as the big toe or thumb. Here are some answers from our recent audit when asked about whether patients would recommend Ostenil injections;
“Definitely yes- Made it a lot easier. Definitely worthwhile.”
“Please let Dr Williams know that post-injection the knee feels smoother and there has been a reduction in pain. In fact, it’s gone from being something that was “always there” to something I only notice sometimes. It needs management in terms of load, surface and activity, but I am sustaining a good, consistent training load and am actually running pretty well.”
If you aren’t sure if Ostenil is for you then please feel free to contact the clinic to discuss it or pop in to pick up a leaflet for more information.
