Table of Contents
Introduction
Joint pain is a common problem that can affect people of all ages and activity levels. Whether it is due to osteoarthritis, cartilage injuries, or changes from sport and everyday life, persistent joint pain can have a big impact on your quality of life. One of the treatments available in clinic is hyaluronic acid injection therapy.
This post explains what hyaluronic acid injections are, how they work, and why they could be a useful option for managing your joint pain.
What Is Hyaluronic Acid?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a natural substance found in the fluid within our joints, called synovial fluid. Its main role is to act as a lubricant and shock absorber, helping joints move smoothly while also protecting the cartilage and surrounding tissues.
When you have osteoarthritis, the hyaluronic acid breaks down and becomes diluted. This reduces its natural elastic properties, which can further degrade cartilage tissue and cause increased joint pain, stiffness, and reduced movement..
An injection of hyaluronic acid is designed to restore some of this lost lubrication and cushioning, supporting the joint and helping to reduce painful symptoms. A hyaluronic acid injection can also help promote your own body’s natural production of its native hyaluronic acid.
How Does A Hyaluronic Acid Injection Work?
Hyaluronic acid is a natural, non-addictive, non-opioid therapy. When injected directly into the joint, hyaluronic acid helps by:
- Lubricating the joint – improving smoothness of movement.
- Acting as a shock absorber – reducing stress on the cartilage and tissues.
- Reducing inflammation – calming irritation within the joint.
- Supporting cartilage health – creating a more favourable environment for the joint surfaces.
What Conditions Can It Help?
Hyaluronic acid injections can be helpful for people with:
- Osteoarthritis – particularly in the knee, hip, or shoulder.
- Cartilage wear or defects – where cushioning is reduced.
- Persistent joint pain – when other treatments have not provided enough relief.
It can be especially suitable for patients who want to stay active, who are looking to delay or avoid surgery, or who are not getting sufficient benefit from pain medication or physiotherapy alone. Hyaluronic acid injections though can be effective, needs to be part of other physiotherapy management which can include exercise/physical activity, load management, healthy lifestyle, and more. Hyaluronic acid injections can also be combined with a steroid injection at the same time!
Are All Hyaluronic Acid Injections The Same?
Not all hyaluronic acid injections are created equal. Many different preparations of hyaluronic acid exist which can ultimately change how effective the treatment is.
Differences in hyaluronic acid preparations include: total concentration, molecular weight, volume of injection, viscosity, single vs multi-course injections, and many more!
Is There A Preference to Which Hyaluronic Acid To Use?
When it comes to to Bradley Rugg Physiotherapy, the vast majority injections will be done using Durolane.
Durolane is a unique, single-injection hyaluronic acid therapy that provides long-lasting pain relief from types of osteoarthritis. Hyaluronic acid acts as a lubricant and shock-absorber. The hyaluronic acid in Durolane is made with the same material.
What makes Durolane different is its concentration of hyaluronic acid, which has been carefully stabilized to resist degradation, extending the time Durolane stays in the joint and adding to its long-lasting effect.
Introduced worldwide in 2001, Durolane has been tested in more clinical studies than any other single-injection hyaluronic therapy on the market. It is proven safe for repeated courses of therapy and provides longer-lasting pain relief versus steroid injections. The hyaluronic acid in Durolane is also derived from a nonanimal source to reduce any risk of allergic reaction.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
Hyaluronic acid injections can be repeated indefinitely. There is no safety risk with the number of injection. Generally however these types of injections are typically not repeated within 6 months of the last.
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Injections can be uncomfortable for some people. The most uncomfortable part of any injection is typically the passing of the needle through the skin. For this reason, the needle is passed swiftly through the skin, with the needle width being as small as possible for the injection site. Local anaesthetic is also typically used which will numb the area.