Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Specialist assessment and hyaluronic acid injections for selected osteoarthritis presentations
Make an injection enquiryWhat Are Hyaluronic Acid Injections?
Hyaluronic acid occurs naturally within the fluid inside our joints, where it helps support lubrication and smooth movement.
Hyaluronic acid injections are used for selected osteoarthritis presentations to help reduce pain and stiffness and make movement and everyday activity more comfortable.
They do not contain corticosteroid and may be considered when someone is looking for a non-steroid injection option as part of a wider treatment and rehabilitation plan.
At Solent Specialist Physiotherapy, we currently offer two single-injection hyaluronic acid options: Ostenil Plus and Durolane.
When Might Hyaluronic Acid Be Considered?
Hyaluronic acid injections may be considered when osteoarthritis-related pain or stiffness is affecting walking, exercise, work or everyday activity.
They may also be considered when symptoms are continuing despite appropriate rehabilitation, activity modification or pain relief, or when someone would prefer to explore a non-steroid injection option.
The decision is based on more than an X-ray or scan. Your specialist will consider your symptoms, examination findings, medical history, previous treatment, the joint involved and what you would like to get back to before discussing whether an injection may be appropriate.
Our Hyaluronic Acid Injection Options
Ostenil Plus
Ostenil Plus is a single-injection hyaluronic acid treatment containing sodium hyaluronate together with mannitol.
It may be considered for selected osteoarthritis-related joint pain and stiffness and provides a non-steroid injection option.
Durolane
Durolane is a single-injection treatment containing a stabilised form of hyaluronic acid.
It may be considered for selected osteoarthritis presentations where pain and stiffness are affecting movement, activity or quality of life.
What Is the Difference Between Ostenil Plus and Durolane?
Both Ostenil Plus and Durolane are single-injection hyaluronic acid treatments, but they use different formulations of hyaluronic acid.
There is not one option that is automatically better for everybody.
Your specialist will consider the joint being treated, your symptoms, previous treatment, medical history and individual circumstances when discussing which option may be most appropriate.
You do not need to decide between them before contacting us.
What About Cingal?
Cingal – Hyaluronic Acid Combined With Corticosteroid
Cingal is different from Ostenil Plus and Durolane because it contains both hyaluronic acid and corticosteroid within a single injection.
Within our service, Cingal is offered for selected presentations of knee osteoarthritis.
The corticosteroid component provides an anti-inflammatory effect, while the hyaluronic acid component supports lubrication and movement within the joint.
Cingal may be considered when both inflammation or joint irritability and osteoarthritis-related pain and stiffness are contributing to symptoms.
Which Injection Is Right for Me?
You do not need to know which injection you need before contacting us.
The most appropriate option depends on the joint being treated, the nature of your symptoms, whether inflammation or stiffness is a prominent feature, your medical history, previous treatment and injections, any existing imaging, and what you are hoping to return to.
Your specialist will bring all of this together when discussing whether Ostenil Plus, Durolane, Cingal, corticosteroid injection or a different treatment approach is likely to be most appropriate for you.
Specialist Assessment Comes First
Every injection enquiry is reviewed by a physiotherapist with specialist expertise in the area being treated.
Before arranging treatment, 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 an injection is given.
If injection therapy is appropriate, your specialist will explain the treatment, expected benefits, relevant risks and aftercare before you decide whether you would like to proceed. If you already have X-rays or scans, your specialist can review these alongside your symptoms and clinical examination.
Our injections are clinically landmark guided. If further investigation, rehabilitation, ultrasound guidance or another treatment approach would be more appropriate, we will explain this and help you plan the next step.
Injection Therapy as Part of Your Rehabilitation
An injection is rarely the whole treatment plan.
Where reducing pain or stiffness makes movement easier, this can provide an opportunity to progress rehabilitation, rebuild strength and confidence and gradually return to the activities that matter to you.
Your specialist can help you understand how injection therapy fits alongside rehabilitation, activity modification and wider management of your condition.
Specialist Injection Clinics Across the Solent Region
Our injection service is provided by physiotherapists with defined expertise in the body area being treated.
Injection appointments are available from our clinics in Gosport, Fareham, Emsworth and Clanfield, depending on the joint or condition being assessed.
Patients can self-refer directly to Solent Specialist Physiotherapy and do not need a GP referral to begin the process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Are hyaluronic acid injections steroids?
Are Ostenil Plus and Durolane single injections?
Which is better – Ostenil Plus or Durolane?
How quickly do hyaluronic acid injections work?
How long can the benefit last?
Can hyaluronic acid injections be repeated?
Would You Like to Discuss Your Injection Options?
You do not need a GP referral, confirmed diagnosis or to know which injection you may need before contacting us.
Tell us where your symptoms are and how they are affecting you, and the appropriate specialist will contact you to discuss the most suitable next step.