Orthopaedic injections contain therapeutic substances such as corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid, or platelet-rich plasma. They are administered intra-articularly into joints affected by conditions like arthritis and are used in combination with conservative management strategies.

Before you purchase orthopaedic injections, let’s review their therapeutic uses, types, administration techniques, and popular brands.

What Are These Products Used For?

Orthopaedic injections are given directly into the joints, particularly the wrist, spine, shoulder, knee, hip, elbow, and ankle joints, and their surrounding ligaments/tendons. 

They are often used as backup therapy to reduce pain and inflammation and improve function and mobility when more conservative measures fail.

Orthopaedic injections are used to: 

• Treat inflammation in conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis.
• Supplement synovial fluid and improve lubrication in patients with osteoarthritis.
• Promote healing in tendons, ligaments, and cartilage following sports injuries and chronic tendinitis.

How Long Do Results Last?

How long orthopaedic injections last depends on their type.

For example, hyaluronic acid injections have been shown to last over 12 months in most cases.

The duration of action of corticosteroid injection is short-lived, often around two weeks. Some people report improvement in pain symptoms for up to 26 weeks. 

Placental tissue matrix injections also produce symptomatic improvement in arthritis for over 12 months. 

Finally, intra-articular injections of platelet-rich plasma provide pain relief for 4 to 12 months. 

Administration Technique

Here’s how to administer orthopaedic injections in general: 

1. Thoroughly cleanse the application site with Betadine and/or alcohol to minimize infection risk. Confirm your patient has no allergies to topical antiseptics.
2. Consider topical numbing agents or lidocaine insertion to alleviate pain during the procedure.
3. Using an aseptic technique, insert the appropriate needle size into the joint space under fluoroscopic or anatomic landmark guidance. Simply injecting the medication may be done with a small (22–25 gauge) needle, but if joint aspiration is necessary, use a large (18–22 gauge) needle. 
4. If significant joint effusion is present, aspirate excess fluid before injecting the medication to improve efficacy and potentially reduce pain.
5. Inject the prescribed medication dosage into the joint space. 
6. After the treatment, apply gentle pressure to the insertion site to minimize bleeding. Encourage gentle joint flexion to promote medication distribution.
7. Apply an ice pack to the injection site for post-procedural pain relief.

Orthopedic Injections Side Effects

The side effects and complications of orthopaedic injections can be divided into minor and severe effects. The likelihood of minor side effects is greater, but they often resolve on their own. Severe side effects occur rarely but often become a medical emergency. 

Minor side effects include:

• Pain or swelling at the site of injection
• Minor bruising
• Slight bleeding 
• Temporary redness or itching

Severe side effects include:

• Profuse bleeding in patients taking anticoagulants
• Allergic reactions, such as rash, hives, or anaphylaxis 
• Septic arthritis
• Osteomyelitis 
• Saphenous neuropathy at the knee joint 
• Tendon and fascia ruptures 

Types of Orthopaedic Treatments

Orthopaedic injections have different types based on the active component. Here are four types to know about:

Hyaluronic Acid Injection

Hyaluronic acid (HA) application, also known as viscosupplementation, are a type of orthopaedic injectable used for the management of osteoarthritis pain. 

Exogenously injected HA increases joint lubrication and cushioning. Increased viscosity of the joint fluid also improves shock absorption and joint mechanics.

High molecular weight HA has also been shown to produce an anti-inflammatory response, although this remains a debated effect.

Corticosteroid Injection

Corticosteroid injections offer rapid and often dramatic pain relief. They downregulate the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines and enzymes to decrease joint inflammation and pain. 

Placental Tissue Matrix Injection

Placental tissue matrix (PTM) injections are a relatively novel type of orthopaedic injection. They provide a concentrated source of growth factors like IGF-1, TGF-β, and PDGF, which can stimulate chondrogenesis, tendon and ligament repair, and bone healing.

PTM injections also contain immunomodulatory factors that decrease inflammation and create a favorable environment for healing.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are a regenerative therapy gaining traction in orthopedics. They use a patient’s own blood, which undergoes centrifugation to deliver a concentrated mixture of growth factors and cytokines such as PDGF, TGF-β, VEGF, and EDF directly to the injured site.

When injected, these growth factors lead to cell proliferation and migration of fibroblasts, chondrocytes, and tenocytes. They also cause collagen synthesis and angiogenesis. 

Orthopaedic Injectable Brands

SYNVISC®, ORTHOVISC®, and DUROLANE® are some popular orthopaedic treatment brands. Other brands include CRESPINE®, EUFLEXXA®, HYALGAN®, and MONOVISC®.

SYNVISC®

Formerly administered in three separate doses, SYNVISC® is now available as a single application under the name SYNVISC ONE®. It’s a gel-like solutuion derived from hyaluronan that is sourced from rooster combs.

Hyaluronan, which is naturally found in joints, functions as a lubricant and shock absorber, improving joint functionality. 

SYNVISC ONE® is indicated for individuals with knee osteoarthritis who have inadequately responded to dietary, exercise, and over-the-counter pain management interventions.

ORTHOVISC®

ORTHOVISC® is an FDA-approved pharmaceutical-grade viscosupplement made of high molecular weight injectable HA. It consists of highly purified sodium hyaluronate (NaHA) in physiological saline. 

ORTHOVISC® is administered via direct knee insertion to alleviate pain in patients experiencing joint inflammation.

DUROLANE® 

DUROLANE® is a single-treatment HA therapy. It has a greater efficacy compared to SYNVISC ONE® and corticosteroids. 

The solution is approved for managing symptomatic pain associated with mild to moderate osteoarthritis in the ankle, fingers, and toes.

Where Can I Buy Orthopaedic Injectables?

There are many suppliers that you can buy orthopaedic injections wholesale from. But it’s crucial to obtain them from a reputable and dependable supplier. Contact out team at Medical Spa RX for guidance.