Osteoarthritis (often abbreviated OA) is a very common disease and a leading cause of disability in patients over 55. It is part of a group of conditions called arthritis. There are many forms of arthritis, the most common being OA. Osteoarthritis may be caused by previous joint injuries or surgery. It may affect weight bearing joints such as hip or knee, but also the shoulder or smaller joints in the hands and toes. Source: Suplasyn.

Suplasyn®

Suplasyn® has been shown to be beneficial in osteoarthritis for the management of pain and improvement in physical function of joints
  • Suplasyn® is composed of sterile sodium hyaluronate solution 10 mg/ml.
  • Suplasyn® and Suplasyn® 1-Shot are indicated in the symptomatic treatment of osteoarthritis.
  • Suplasyn® is administered intra-articularly into the synovial space of the affected joint (e.g. knee, hip, toe, shoulder, hand).

Treatment Options

Arthroplasty

Joint replacement therapy, also known as an arthroplasty, is most commonly carried out to replace hip and knee joints. During an arthroplasty, your surgeon will remove your affected joint and replace it with an artificial joint (prosthesis) made of special plastics and metal. An artificial joint can last for up to 20 years. However, it may eventually need to be replaced. Source: HSE.

Arthrodesis

If joint replacement is not suitable for you, your surgeon may suggest an operation known as an arthrodesis, which fuses your joint in a permanent position. This means that your joint will be stronger and much less painful, although you will no longer be able to move it. Source: HSE.

Osteotomy

If you have osteoarthritis in your knees but you are too young for knee replacement surgery (arthroplasty), you may be able to have an operation called an osteotomy. This involves your surgeon adding or removing a small section of bone either above or below your knee joint. This helps realign your knee so that your weight is no longer focused on the damaged part of your knee. An osteotomy can relieve your symptoms of osteoarthritis, although you may still need knee replacement surgery eventually. Source: HSE.

Exercise

Exercise is the most important treatment for people with osteoarthritis, whatever your age or level of fitness. Your physical activity should include a combination of exercises to strengthen your muscles and exercises to improve your general fitness.

If osteoarthritis causes you pain and stiffness, you may think that exercise will make your symptoms worse. But usually, regular exercise that keeps you active and mobile and builds up muscle, thereby strengthening the joints, will improve symptoms. Exercise is also good for relieving stress, losing weight and improving your posture, all of which will ease symptoms.

Your GP, or possibly a physiotherapist, will discuss the benefits you can expect from your exercise programme and can give you an exercise plan to follow at home. It is important to follow this plan because there is a small risk that the wrong sort of exercise may damage your joints. Source HSE

Medicines for Osteoarthritis

Your doctor will talk to you about medicines to help control the symptoms of osteoarthritis, including painkillers. Often a combination of therapies, including medicines, devices or surgery, may be needed. The type of painkiller (analgesic) your GP may recommend for you will depend on the severity of your pain and any other conditions or health problems you have. Source HSE

Intra-articular Injections

If your osteoarthritis is severe, treatment using painkillers may not be enough to control your pain. In this case, you may be able to have a type of treatment where medicine is injected into the parts of your body that are affected by osteoarthritis. This is known as intra-articular treatment and is injected inside your affected joints.

If you need to have intra-articular injections, it is likely that you will have injections of corticosteroid, a medicine that reduces swelling and pain. However, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) does not recommend intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid for osteoarthritis.

If you get a prolonged response to the injection, it may be repeated. If you do not respond to the injection, or have a joint like the hip, which needs a guided injection, then your doctor can refer you for a guided injection. Source HSE

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