When Might Durolane Be Considered? 

Within our service, Durolane is most commonly considered for people with symptomatic knee or shoulder osteoarthritis when pain and stiffness are affecting walking, exercise, work or day-to-day activity.

It may be considered when rehabilitation, activity modification or simple pain relief have not provided enough improvement, or when someone is looking for a non-steroid option to help manage their symptoms.

The decision is based on the whole clinical picture rather than on an X-ray or MRI result alone. Your specialist will consider your symptoms, examination findings, previous treatment, joint irritability and personal goals before advising whether Durolane is likely to be a reasonable option for you.

Where We Use Durolane

At Solent Specialist Physiotherapy, we use Durolane for:

Knee osteoarthritis

Shoulder osteoarthritis

Wrist osteoarthritis

Elbow osteoarthritis

Click on each condition above to find out more about the treatment options available.

How Is Durolane Different From Corticosteroid?

Durolane and corticosteroid injections are used for different reasons.

Corticosteroid is an anti-inflammatory medicine and is often considered when inflammation or marked irritability is an important part of the presentation.

Durolane is a hyaluronic-acid injection and does not contain steroid. Its role is different: it is intended to supplement the lubricating and shock-absorbing properties of the synovial fluid within the joint.

Neither option is automatically better than the other. The most appropriate choice depends on the joint involved, the nature of your symptoms and your wider medical picture. Your specialist will explain the differences clearly and help you understand which option, if any, is most appropriate.

Specialist Assessment Comes First

Every Durolane enquiry is reviewed by a physiotherapist with specialist expertise in the joint being treated. 

Before arranging an appointment, we will usually contact you by telephone or video to discuss your symptoms, medical history, medication, previous treatment and any imaging you may already have.

A face-to-face clinical assessment is then completed before treatment. If Durolane appears appropriate, we will talk you through what the treatment involves, what you can realistically expect and any relevant risks before you decide whether you would like to proceed.

Do I Need Imaging Before a Durolane Injection?

Not everyone needs new imaging before a Durolane injection. 

Existing X-rays or scans can often be reviewed alongside your symptoms and clinical findings, but imaging is only one part of the picture. Your specialist may recommend an X-ray or another investigation if it would help clarify the diagnosis, assess the joint or guide treatment planning.

Our service provides specialist clinically guided injections rather than ultrasound-guided injections. In the small number of cases where ultrasound guidance would be preferable, we will advise you and recommend the most appropriate onward pathway.

Who May Not Be Suitable?

Durolane is not suitable if there is an infection within the joint, an active infection or skin problem around the proposed injection site, or a known allergy to hyaluronic-acid preparations. 

There are a few situations where we may need a little more information before arranging treatment, for example if you take anticoagulant medication, have a bleeding disorder, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have significant unexplained swelling.

Suitability also needs to be considered carefully where osteoarthritis is very advanced or joint replacement surgery is already being planned.

These circumstances do not necessarily prevent treatment, but they are important for us to understand so that we can advise you safely.

What Might I Notice After the Injection?

Most people tolerate Durolane well. It is common to have some temporary discomfort, stiffness, warmth or swelling around the treated joint, and symptoms can occasionally feel a little more noticeable before they settle.

Less common complications include a more pronounced inflammatory reaction within the joint, infection, allergic reaction, nerve irritation or injury to surrounding structures.

Your individual risks will always be discussed with you before treatment, together with aftercare advice and guidance about any symptoms that would need prompt medical attention.

What Happens After the Injection?

You will receive individual aftercare advice based on the joint treated and your usual activities. 

A short period of relative rest is usually recommended before walking, exercise and rehabilitation are gradually resumed. Durolane does not typically provide immediate relief, and any improvement usually develops over the following days or weeks.

Improvement develops differently from person to person. Where Durolane is helpful, the aim is to make movement more comfortable and support better day-to-day function over the weeks and months that follow.