FAQ’s
Peyronie's Disease (OA)
Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects your joints, leading to the gradual wearing down of the cartilage that normally cushions them. This process can result in changes to the surrounding bone, causing discomfort and limiting your ability to move as freely as you once did. Find out more information here
Osteoarthritis is caused by a number of things such as excess weight, obesity, trauma to the joint, joint injuries, occupation-related activities, advancing age and genetic predisposition, being female and metabolic disorders.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that is characterised by pain and stiffness, which typically worsens gradually over time. However, there are many factors that may accelerate or decelerate this process and not everyone with osteoarthritis will need to have joint replacement surgery. Joint replacement surgery is generally provided when osteoarthritis is advanced on your X-Ray, your mobility is limited and pain is poorly controlled. Speak to your clinician if you would like to know more about joint replacement surgery.
About the injection
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring macro molecule in your body, present in multiple tissues such as your eyes, skin and synovial fluid. Within healthy synovial fluid, HA has multiple functions such as providing lubrication at rest, nourishment to your joint cells and shock absorption under load. When the synovial fluid becomes unhealthy, with age or disease (Osteoarthritis), the concentration of HA depletes. Therefore, the functions are impaired.
A viscosupplementation injection is an injection of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) such as Hyaluronic acid and sodium chondroitin. It is an established treatment for OA, helping to restore the homeostasis and rheological properties of synovial fluid. It is a proven treatment for managing osteoarthritis (OA), with latest research demonstrating the hybrid injections as a promising alternative to linear or crosslinked HA.
The purpose of hybrid viscosupplementation is to restore the Hyaluronic acid (HA) concentrations and the mechanical properties of the synovial fluid (in the joints) effectively. HA has 2 molecular weights: low and high. Majority of low molecular weight HA injections are linear products and high molecular weight HA are cross-linked products. Sinovial is a hybrid HA injection which is a combination of both high and low molecular weights. This means it can provide well-rounded benefits from both molecular weights, helping with the 3 key functions of synovial fluid: lubrication, nourishment and shock absorption. Therefore, mimicking the natural synovial fluid closely and more effectively than crosslinked and linear HA.
Our Sinovial line provides hyaluronic acid (HA), which has a combination of both high and low molecular weight HA. The low molecular weight provides lubrication and nourishment as functions. The high molecular weight provides shock absorption as a function. Therefore, Sinovial injections aim to restore the natural mechanical properties of synovial fluid, thereby reducing joint pain and improving function.
IBSA have a long history of manufacturing highly purified hyaluronic acid thanks to their patented technology and have 3 main products that can alleviate joint or tendon pain.
Sinovial HL 32 is designed to treat small joints or tendons presenting with painful symptoms caused by osteoarthritis or tendinopathy. It is the highest concentration HA injection available in the UK.
Sinovial HL 64 is designed to treat medium to large joints or tendons presenting with painful symptoms caused by osteoarthritis or tendinopathy. It is the highest concentration HA injection available in the UK.
Sinogel is designed specifically for large joints with painful symptoms caused by osteoarthritis such as hips and knees. It mainly restores shock absorption.
Have a look at our flowchart to see which product is more suited for you.
Please speak to your healthcare professional for your treatment options and what would be best for you.
Corticosteroid injections are powerful anti-inflammatory medicines that are delivered directly into a painful joint. They reduce pain caused by inflammation of the joint lining (synovium) and effects can last between 4-8 weeks. However, all corticosteroids are absorbed systemically and may have a range of side effects such as skin changes, post injection pain, facial flushing, infection, hypertension, hyperglycaemia and loss of bone density.
- Your clinician will usually position you on the plinth, your position will be dependent upon which joint is being treated
- The clinician will use the ultrasound machine, placing the ultrasound probe onto the skin with ultrasound gel.
- The probe creates the image of your joint using sound waves
- The underlying tissues will be visualised to help the clinician understand the exact location to deliver the injection
- Once the location for injection has been identified, the skin and ultrasound probe will be cleaned with antimicrobial solution before Sinovial is injected
- The ultrasound will show the insertion of the needle in real time, ensuring the Sinovial injection is delivered into the target tissue.
- Once the needle tip is visualised within the target tissue, the injection will be delivered, in some cases your clinician may use a small amount of saline to increase the space for the Sinovial injection.
- After the needle is removed, a plaster is applied at the site and the clinician will give you the needed post-care advice.
Most joint injections are a little uncomfortable when inserting the needle, like all injections. The procedure itself should only last a couple of minutes and there should be no pain once the needle has been removed. You may feel like your joint is temporarily stiff afterwards. Your clinician will explain how to care for your joint after an injection.
As with any injection there are some risks or side effects. Some potential side effects include temporary pain and stiffness at the injection site, mild warmth or redness and joint swelling. Side effects are usually temporary and should resolve within 7 days of injection.
If you have had our injection and are experiencing a persistent side effect, please contact your clinician immediately.
Our viscosupplementation injections are not recommended for individuals who have active infections, any known allergies to hyaluronic acid products, recent surgery to the joint, are taking antibiotics, have had joint replacement surgery in the same joint, pregnant, uncontrolled inflammatory diseases or feeling unwell.
Your clinician will discuss how many injections they recommend, but usually it is 1 injection, in some cases your clinician may recommend up to 3 injections
Any synovial joint can be treated using our viscosupplementation injections. Some examples include knee, hip, shoulder, elbow, hand, wrist, ankle and foot.
Our research shows you could experience pain relief within 7 days after your injection.
Yes, there is no increased risk profile in repeated Sinovial HL injections. Most people have at least 6 months relief from a single injection, however it is safe to have between 1- 3 injections within a 6-month period.
There are no known interactions of hyaluronic acid with medical conditions or medications.
There is no known increased infection risk after a Sinovial HL injection in relation to joint surgery afterwards, you should speak to your healthcare professional if you are planning to have surgery within 6 months after your injection.