Injection Therapy

Cortico - Steroid Injections

 At the Natural Health Centre our experienced Physiotherapist - Graeme Payne (GJP Healthcare) offers a range of injection based therapy:

Steroid injections are also known as corticosteroid injections.

They are used to treat many conditions such as: joint pain, arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis and many more. (a full list of injections completed at GJP Health is at the bottom of this page).

The name of the steroid used at GJP health is methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrone)

Some corticosteroid injections are given alone, and others are given in combination with local anaesthetics. If appropriate the local anesthetic used at GJP Heath is Lidocaine (lignocaine).

How Steroids are Administered

Depending on the location of the injection they can be given:

Into a joint (shoulder and knee) 

Into a muscle/tendon (tennis elbow)

Into soft tissues (bursa’s)

The response time of injections vary from patient to patient, sometimes they will start working within a few hours and other times it can take a few weeks.

Following the injection you should be able to go straight home. We advise relative rest post injection to maximise the effect the steroid.

What do Steroids do?

The steroids used for the injections are a manmade version of naturally occurring hormones found in glands near the kidneys. The exact function and precise mechanics of steroid injections are not fully understood or 100% agreed on in the medical world. It is thought though that steroids:

· 1 – suppress inflammation – reduce pain and swelling

· 2 – supress inflammatory flares - particularly in arthritic joints

· 3 – kick start healing in chronic injuries

· 4 – protect cartilage

· 5 – directly reduce pain. *

They are not the anabolic steroids which some people use illegally to increase muscle mass.

Injections completed by GJP Health

· Shoulder Joint

· Subacromial space (subacromial bursitis)

· Acromioclavicular joint (ACJ)

· Elbow joint

· Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow)

· Medial epicondylitis (golfers elbow)

· Olecranon Bursitis (elbow bursa)

· Wrist joint

· Thumb and finger joints

· Trigger fingers and Trigger thumbs

· Carpel Tunnel

· De Quervain’s

· Trochanteric bursa

· Knee joint

· Patella femoral joint

· Bakers Cyst aspiration

· Infrapatellar Bursa

· Ankle Joint

· Toe Joints

· Plantar Fascia

· Morton’s Neuroma

*Reference: Saunders, S., Longworth, S. and Botting, J., n.d. Injection Techniques In Musculoskeletal Medicine.(2019 5th edition).

Hyaluronic Acid Injections –


Viscosupplementation

Hyaluronic Acid / Sodium Hyaluronate is a naturally occurring substance which is present where there is moisture/lubrication between layers of tissues all over the body. It is particularly common in synovial joints (Knees, shoulders, ankles etc.…)


Sodium Hyaluronate can:

· Absorb and store moisture in enormous quantities

· Lubricate joint surfaces

· Act as a shock absorber

· Be used as medium to transport nutrients

· Can be a filter for inflammatory molecules.

· Protect cartilage from degeneration


At GJP Health we use “Ostenil” ®


Ostenil ® is a solution that contains Hyaluronic Acid. It is injected in the joints and works by restoring the normal balance between the breakdown and production of sodium hyaluronate. This process is known as “Viscosupplementation”. The effects of Ostenil ®are to decrease pain and stiffness and improve the other symptoms of osteoarthritis.


Ostenil ® is a very pure version of sodium hyaluronate, there are no animal proteins so it is very unlikely to cause an allergic reaction. It has been extensively used/injected and there has been no cases of serious side effects.


What to expect with Ostenil® injections

Ostenil ®will be injected directly into the joint which is affected by osteoarthritis.


There are 2 two different types of Ostenil®, Ostenil® plus or Ostenil® regular.


Ostenil (regular) injections will be completed once a week over 3 weeks. (so 3 injections)


You may not feel any benefit initially after the first injection ,but you should gradually start to feel less stiffness and pain over the following weeks. The improvements should last many months (up to 9 months).

Ostenil® plus is a one off injection. (as it contains a higher concentration of sodium hyaluronate, with the addition of mannitol)


For more information on Injection therapy, Please contact Graeme at GJP Healthcare directly on 07975593158

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