An Ostenil Injection is a Hyaluronic Acid Injection, a product used to treat Osteoarthritis. Hyaluronic Acid is also referred to as Hyaluronan.
Osteoarthritis is a condition where the joint cartilage starts to degenerate, causing pain, swelling, and reduced mobility.
Hyaluronic Acid injections are injectable substances that mimic the normal balance of synovial fluid in healthy joints.
An Ostenil injection contains sodium hyaluronate, a type of hyaluronic acid naturally present in synovial fluid.
Hyaluronic acid plays a crucial role in lubricating and cushioning the various joints in the body effectively acting as a shock absorber
The process of injecting hyaluronic acid into joints affected by osteoarthritis is called viscosupplementation.
The purpose of an Ostenil injection into a joint affected by Osteoarthritis is to relieve pain and improve joint function in people with osteoarthritis.
When injected into the affected joint, Ostenil helps restore the joint’s lubricating properties, reducing friction and enabling smoother movement.
Background of Hyaluronic acid
Ostenil consists of Sodium Hyaluronate. Sodium hyaluronate, also known as hyaluronic acid, is a naturally occurring substance found in various tissues throughout the human body, such as skin, cartilage, and synovial fluid.
Ostenil plus also contains Mannitol which helps to stabilise the production of hyaluronic acid and slow down the breakdown of hyaluronic acid in the joint. In this way it helps it last longer.
An Ostenil Injection under ultrasound guidance is safe and effective and well tolerated.
Research has found that Viscosupplementation with Ostenil Injection in the knees may delay the need for surgery.
How is Ostenil produced
Ostenil is often produced through a process known as bacterial fermentation.
- Fermentation: Bacterial strains, usually Streptococcus zooepidemicus, are selected for their ability to produce hyaluronic acid. These bacteria are grown in a suitable growth medium containing carbohydrates, such as glucose or corn syrup, as a carbon source.
- The bacteria then undergo a fermentation process, during which they produce hyaluronic acid as part of their metabolic activities.
The resulting sodium hyaluronate can be used in orthopaedic applications such as Osteoarthritis, Knee Meniscus, Shoulder or Hip Labral tears.
Background of Ostenil Injection
The history of Ostenil injection can be traced back to scientific research aimed at developing groundbreaking solutions for joint-related issues.
The primary component of Ostenil, hyaluronic acid, was discovered several decades ago and sparked interest in its potential therapeutic applications.
Scientists explored its benefits, particularly for joint health, and the concept of injecting hyaluronic acid into joints to alleviate pain and enhance mobility emerged.
TRB Chemedica, a Swiss pharmaceutical company specialising in various medical areas, played a pivotal role in refining and introducing Ostenil as a safe and effective treatment for osteoarthritis.
Thanks to ongoing research and supporting scientific evidence, Ostenil has become a well-established option for managing joint discomfort and improving joint function, whilst slowing degenerative change, without resorting to invasive procedures.
What are the Benefits of Ostenil in Sports and Athletes
Ostenil injections have gained popularity among athletes, especially footballers, seeking relief from joint discomfort caused by rigorous physical activities.
With hyaluronic acid as the key component, these injections provide improved joint lubrication and cushioning, reducing friction, alleviating pain, and enhancing mobility for better performance on the field.
The non-surgical nature and minimal side effects make Ostenil an attractive choice for athletes looking to maintain joint health and return swiftly to training and competitions.
However, athletes should consult sports medicine specialists to ensure the suitability of Ostenil for their specific needs.
Incorporating injury prevention strategies like warm-ups, conditioning exercises, and recovery protocols further support joint health and overall athletic performance.
What can an Ostenil Injection be used for
Ostenil is occasionally used as a treatment option for meniscus and labral tears in certain cases.
While it is primarily known for its effectiveness in managing osteoarthritis-related joint pain, some medical professionals may explore using Ostenil injections to provide lubrication and support for the affected joints’ healing process after surgical repair of meniscus or labral tears.
However, it is essential to note that Ostenil’s use in this context may vary based on the severity and type of tear, and its efficacy is not as well-established as in osteoarthritis cases.
How is Ostenil Usually Used
Ostenil injections are most typically used in weight-bearing Synovial joints, such as the knee and hip. These joints endure substantial stress during physical activities and are more susceptible to wear and tear.
Thus, Ostenil’s hyaluronic acid-based viscosupplementation can offer benefits by enhancing joint lubrication and cushioning, particularly for individuals experiencing joint pain or discomfort in these regions.
As with any medical treatment, the decision to use Ostenil for meniscus or labral tears and its specific application should be made by qualified healthcare professionals after careful evaluation of the patient’s condition and individual needs.
Ostenil is licensed use in most Joints and even tendon sheaths and research has shown efficacy in tenosynovitis and tennis elbow.
Ostenil tendon is now licensed for the treatment of pain and restricted mobility in tendons with or without a tendon sheath.
Research has shown it works in Achilles tendon pathology, Rotator cuff tendon tendinopathy, patella tendon, peroneal tendon and IT band issues.
It appears Ostenil can act as a lubricant when applied into the tendon sheath or peritendinous sheath.
It can theoretically decrease pain and stiffness, enhance tendon gliding and reduce adhesions between tendons. Research has also shown it to tendon recovery and wound healing.
Research involving Ostenil Injection
With so many different hyaluronic acid brands being available on the market with a big difference in pricing, an interesting debate is often if one type of hyaluronic acid is more effective than the other.
There have been quite a few studies over the years and interestingly studies have found Ostenil compares well against more expensive brands
Dernek et al (2016) compared the Ostenil Plus against Monovisc (both single-dose hyaluronic acid injections) with two different structures in patients with early-stage knee osteoarthritis involving 74 patients.
Both preparations were effective in terms of pain and function starting at 1 month post injection and continuing to 6 months post injection.
Comparison of the groups revealed no significant difference except in the level of stiffness.
The improvement in stiffness Ostenil PLUS® was first noted at 1 month with both MonoVisc and Ostenil Plus but persisted for longer in the Ostenil Injection group.
it was concluded that patients in the Ostenil PLUS® group benefited more in terms of knee stiffness longer term than MonoVisc
In terms of side effects, only two patients in the MONOVISC® group had swelling and redness of the joint within one week, but this was not deemed significant.
To summarise the study
Ostenil Plus vs Monovisc:
- No statistical significance in difference between pain scores
- Ostenil Plus outperformed Monovisc for in terms of stiffness at the 3 and 6 month mark
- Two adverse reactions with Monovisc VS none with Ostenil Plus
A more in depth study involving 288 injections compared Ostenil Plus to Hyaglan GF 20 which is a high molecular weight Hyaluronic Acid. The brand name for the Hyaglan GF 20 is Synvisc One
The 288 subjects were split into two groups with 142 receiving Ostenil Plus and 146 receiving Synvisc One
These patients had Knee OSteoarthritis from stage 1-3 and were not allowed to use NSAIDS or have any steroid injections for 6 months following the injection
Both groups showed a significant decrease in pain and stiffness and an increase in function 6 months after the injection. Ostenil was shown to be non inferior to Synvisc One in this well designed study
Interestingly Ostenil was associated with side effects like redness or inflammation after the injection. No patient suffered any serious side effects with either type of hyaluronic acid in this study
London Royal Hospital Study
In a study in the Rheumatology department at the Royal London hospital 33 patients with Knee Osteoarthritis from grade 2 to grade 4 participated in a study comparing Ostenil plus to Synvisc one.
All patients in the study had a decrease in pain score after six months. The age ranges in the study were from 25 to 85. A single dose of Ostenil plus was deemed to be at least as effective, but cheaper than Synvisc one in that study.
Ostenil Injection Frequently Asked Questions
How long Does Ostenil take to Work?
Many patients notice the benefit immediately, but we often recommend it can sometimes take days or weeks to notice full effects. If Patients Still do not feel much improvement after around the 3 week mark, they often need more than one injection, this acts as a ‘Top up.’
How Long Does an Ostenil Injection last?
A single injection of Ostenil in our experience lasts anywhere from 6-8 months. It lasts longer in lower grades of Osteoarthritis. It is safe to top up every 6-12 months
Are there side effects with an Ostenil Injection?
Side-effects with Ostenil injections tend to be rare. It is non-avian based (Synvisc is avian based).
The side-effects cited in the literature tend to be a temporary redness or swelling which settles down after a few weeks.
Are you an Ostenil Approved Clinic?
Yes, our registration number is 000224. We only use TRB Chemedica UK to ensure the quality of our product
How is it done in the Clinic?
At MyMSK we want to ensure that any Injections are as comfortable and pain free as possible. In order to ensure this we follow strict procedures and policies so that the injection is effective and safe. In most cases we proceed with the following steps:
- First the area to be injected is located and marked using Ultrasound Guidance and a comfortable pad is placed under it.
- Next, this area is cleaned with a sterile antiseptic solution to reduce the risk of infection.
- A local Anaesthetic is administered to the area to numb the area and make the injection as comfortable as possible.
- The Ostenil is Injected with the assistance of Ultrasound Guidance to make sure it is the correct location so that the treatment is as effective as possible.
- A Plaster is applied and the patient is free to go home as soon as they feel comfortable to do so.
How do I Book in to have an Ostenil Injection?
Before patients can have treatment we, at MyMSK, proceed with a thorough assessment where the clinician will take the patient’s history and carry out a physical examination.
We may use an ultrasound machine for a closer look at the joints and tissues in the knee.
If an Ostenil injection is suitable then we can proceed.
To Book in please Visit our ‘Booking Page’ or call us at 0333 772 9655 so we can help eliminate your pain as quickly as possible.
