Intra Articular Knee Injections
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common cause of Knee and Hip pain. OA can affect young and old alike but more often affects people over the age of 40 – predominantly those that have been active and those that still are.
If you suffer from OA you will be all too familiar with the range of symptoms that it causes and their effect upon your life.
The potential benefits of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) for OA sufferers include:
- Directly treats the affected joint
- Repeatable as required
- May help to avoid or delay Hip or Knee
Replacement Surgery - Long-term freedom from Knee & Hip pain
- Simple & quick to administer
- Drug-free alternative to pills
It works by restoring the lubricating and shock-absorbing properties of Joint Fluid, which are depleted in Osteoarthritis.
What is osteoarthritis?
When you have Osteoarthritis of the Knee:
- The Joint Fluid may lose its ability to protect the joint.
- Smooth cartilage that normally protects the ends of the knee bones may lose its cushioning effect or become pitted and frayed. Large areas of cartilage may even wear away completely, so the bones scrape painfully over each other.
- Cartilage breakdown may cause the joint to lose its shape, and the bone ends may thicken and form bony spurs.
- Fragments of bone or cartilage may float in the joint space, causing further damage and pain.
Normal Knee
Normal cartilage provides a smooth surface so bones can move easily across each other
High concentration of Hyaluronan in Synovial Fluid cushions and lubricates the joint.
OA Knee
Eroded cartilage if completely worn away, bones may scrape painfully against each other
Low concentration of hyaluronan in synovial fluid less able to protect the joint
Osteophytes (bone spurs)
You may suffer from OA if you have any of these symptoms:
- Stiffness in the morning
- Pain when you move
- Pain even when you are not active
- A crackling sound or a grating feeling when walking
- Red and swollen skin around your knee
There are many contributory factors to osteoarthritis. These include:
- Aging
- Obesity
- Damage to joints through injury
- Lifestyle issues
- Hereditary factors
Claudia McGloin is a Senior Orthopaedic Nurse Specialist and has been administering knee injections in her own Nurse Led Clinic in the UK for the past number of years. She has conducted research which has proven that these injections do work and are beneficial to patients. She is the ONLY Nurse Practitioner in Ireland administering these injections and is listed on the Smith & Nephew Surgeon Locator Database for Durolane.
Claudia also specialises in Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) and uses this for the treatment of OA in Joints.
Patients suffering with Mild/Moderate Osteoarthritis should be referred by a GP or Consultant Surgeon to The New You Clinic. X-Rays are often required but copies of radiology reports including MRI scans are accepted. It is also possible for patients to refer themselves privately for these injections.