Ostenil: A long jump in the management of Osteoarthritis
June 13, 2018
Where were you on 4 August 2012? We all recall the exhilaration and excitement of Super Saturday and Greg Rutherford winning that memorable gold medal in the long jump event at the Olympic Games in London. Whilst Greg has gone on to win numerous other titles since, that was probably his finest moment on the world stage of professional athletics. However, at the age of 31 Greg has announced his intention to retire from elite international sport. His dream is to bow out from a glittering career by winning a third successive European Championships title in Berlin later this year. Greg’s enforced retirement is due to a persistent left ankle injury apparently aggravated by osteoarthritis. This is resulting in daily pain that prevents him from his usual gruelling training programme so vital if he is to perform at the highest level.
Who gets osteoarthritis?
Osteoathritis (OA) is a common condition. Most people over the age of 60 years have OA to some degree but severity varies. People in their 20s and 30s can also suffer although there is often an underlying reason such as joint injury or repeated joint stress from overuse.
What is osteoarthritis?
OA results from breakdown of the cartilage of the joint and underlying bone. Cartilage acts as a protective lining of the bone. The most common symptoms are joint pain and stiffness. OA is frequently referred to as ‘wear and tear’ due to repeated stress on joints.
What is the treatment?
There is no permanent cure. However, lots of people swear by thermotherapy, a natural treatment that uses heat or cold to relieve osteoarthritis pain. When sudden acute pain occurs, applying ice to the affected joint may help. For more long-term pain, many patients report relief with moist heat as well as topical anti-inflammatory creams. Your local pharmacist will be able to advise about these types of creams. Physiotherapy advice and exercises very often proves beneficial by easing pain whilst improving joint strength and movement. Ostenil treatment can also be helpful in the management of joint pain. Joint replacement surgery eliminates pain and restores function but is only considered at end-stage disease when all else has failed to help.
What is Ostenil and can it help?
Ostenil, is a solution containing Sodium Hyaluronate and can be used as a treatment for the symptoms of osteoarthritis. It is administered via injection and can be used on all synovial joints, including the hip, knee and ankle. A synovial joint is one in which the ends of the bones are enclosed in a capsule containing a thick slippery liquid called synovial fluid. The capsule is lined with a membrane and the bone ends of the joint are covered in a smooth layer of a tough, rubbery substance known as cartilage. Synovial fluid lubricates the joint whilst acting as a protective filter, letting nutrients reach the cartilage by blocking the passage of harmful cells and substances. The most important component of synovial fluid is a substance called hyaluronic acid and Ostenil works by restoring the normal balance between the breakdown and production of hyaluronic acid. Used effectively, Ostenil can decrease pain and stiffness and improve the other symptoms associated with OA.
If you suffer from osteoarthritis and would like to discuss the potential benefits of Ostenil injections or physiotherapy, please contact one of our team for a thorough consultation and immediate management.