Ostenil Plus
Millions of people are living with the painful and debilitating symptoms of Osteoarthritis. The chronic stiffness, swelling, and pain in the joints can severely limit mobility and hinder the quality of life. Osteoarthritis is not just a minor inconvenience; it’s a progressive disease that can lead to a drastic reduction in one’s ability to perform daily tasks. It affects not only the physical well-being but also the mental health of the sufferers. Current therapies may provide temporary relief but often fail to address the underlying cause of the symptoms. Furthermore, oral medications can have systemic side effects, while surgical interventions are invasive and can require prolonged recovery. The problem is complex and often requires a multimodal approach.
What Happens to the Joint during Osteoarthritis?
Osteoarthritis is not simply wear and tear. It involves the key component of hyaluronic acid. Usually, our body keeps a perfect balance of maintaining normal hyaluronic acid levels within the joints. This substance helps our joints move smoothly. But in osteoarthritis, this balance is thrown off and this makes the fluid in our joints, called synovial fluid, more watery and less effective.
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Because of this change in the fluid, the cartilage in the joint starts to wear away. When the fluid gets thin and the cartilage wears down, it leads to the common signs of osteoarthritis, like pain, stiffness, and swelling.
Introducing Ostenil Plus
A targeted and innovative treatment designed to alleviate the symptoms of osteoarthritis. OSTENIL PLUS contains hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found in the body that helps to lubricate and cushion the joints.
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It can be injected into the knee, or any of the other synovial joints in the body to decrease pain and stiffness and improve the other symptoms of osteoarthritis.
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It contains a higher concentration of sodium hyaluronate (hyaluronic acid) than standard Ostenil, plus mannitol, and offers the option to reduce the number of injections to one per treatment cycle.
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This medication is injected into the space between the joint that contains synovial fluid and works to restore the balance between the breakdown and production of hyaluronic acid. This effect means Ostenil Plus can help decrease pain and stiffness of the joint.
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First-line treatments for osteoarthritis pain, practitioners will commonly recommend analgesic medication, weight-loss and strengthening exercises. Steroid injections are a secondary therapy, recommended if a patient isn’t getting adequate relief with oral painkillers.
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Studies have shown repeated steroid injections should be performed with caution, due to a risk of further cartilage volume loss, making osteoarthritis worse over time. Hyaluronic acid injections do not cause this negative side effect. It is a non-opiod injection, natural and non-addictive and therefore deemed a safer option compared to steroid injections.
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There is strong evidence to suggest repeated hyaluronic acid injections can delay the need for knee replacement surgery up to 5 years.
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Key Benefits
Restore Lubrication and Movement
OSTENIL PLUS enhances the joint’s natural lubrication, restoring its lubricating, shock-absorbing and filtering properties. This in turn leads to reduced stiffness and improved movement, allowing patients to participate in daily activities with greater ease.
Reduce inflammation
OSTENIL PLUS reduces inflammation of the synovial membrane. This can lead to significant reduction in pain and swelling. Many patients experience a noticeable decrease in pain within a few weeks of the injection.
Safe & Sustained
OSTENIL PLUS injections are generally well-tolerated, with most people experiencing few side effects. For patients looking to avoid or delay surgery, Ostenil Plus injections can serve as a non-invasive alternative to help manage symptoms foir 6 months or more.
What is the evidence?
The Cochrane Review is an internationally recognized standard in evidence-based healthcare, investigating the effect of therapeutic interventions and treatments. According to their review, hyaluronic acid (HA) is a viable treatment option for mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis, supported by strong evidence.
FAQ
What Joints Can be Treated?
Ostenil is licensed for osteoarthritis and so can be used for all joints affected.
Does Ostenil Plus have any side effects?
Ostenil Plus has been extensively tested and has not been found to cause any serious side effects, plus it contains no animal proteins, so is unlikely to cause an allergic reaction.
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As with any injection there is a very small risk of infection (roughly 1:10,000) and occasional post injection pain at the site, which may last a day or so.
Who is eligible for an Ostenil Plus injection?
Patients with confirmed osteoarthritis from a healthcare professional or x-ray
Those who have undergone 'first line' treatments which include weight loss, medications and Physiotherapy
Must not be pregnant or breastfeeding
Must not have surgical metalwork within the effected joint
Must not have open wounds or infection within the effected joint
Must not have bleeding disorders or on high doses of blood thinning medication
Is this injection suitable for vegans/vegetarians?
Ostenil plus contains no animal products so is suitable for vegans/vegetarins.
Will the injection hurt?
You might feel some discomfort or pressure during the injection, but it’s usually over quickly. You’ll likely be in and out of the office 20 minutes, and the actual injection takes just a few minutes. Some people can develop some additional pain over 1-2 days after the injection which usually settles.
How long will the injection take to take effect?
You may not notice any benefits immediately after the first injection, but you should gradually start to feel less pain and stiffness over the next few weeks.