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Durolane Injection: Uses, Benefits, Side Effects & Dosage
Feb 28, 2023
DUROLANE is a unique therapy in the form of a single injection of hyaluronic acid that provides long-lasting osteoarthritis pain relief for up to 6 months.
What Is Durolane Injection?
Durolane is an injectable treatment for osteoarthritis, a condition that causes joint pain and stiffness. It is a gel-like substance injected directly into the affected joint to reduce pain and increase mobility.
The active ingredient in Durolane is hyaluronic acid, a natural substance found in the human body that helps lubricate and cushion the joints.
Durolane Injection Uses
Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of synovial fluid, providing lubrication and cushioning for cartilage and ligaments within joints.
Administering hyaluronic acid injections directly into the affected joint can help restore the viscosity and elasticity of the synovial fluid, ultimately reducing pain and improving joint mobility.
Treatment of Osteoarthritis
When osteoarthritis occurs, the concentration of hyaluronic acid in the synovial fluid of the affected joint decreases, and its quality deteriorates faster, lowering its protective properties.
This process is often accompanied by increased inflammation in the affected joint, which results in cartilage degradation.
The inflammation in the joint activates pain receptors even during normal physical movement, often causing patients with osteoarthritis to limit joint movement.
However, restricting joint movement can lead to further damage and decreased synovial fluid protective properties, which are necessary for healthy joint structure and regular synovial fluid activity. It can result in a vicious cycle where osteoarthritis progresses, and the patient’s quality of life significantly reduces.
Durolane is a medication that can be administered as a single injection to relieve osteoarthritis pain by replenishing the less healthy hyaluronic acid in the affected joint. Hyaluronic acid is a natural molecule that provides lubrication and cushioning in a healthy joint.
Comparison to Other Treatments
Clinical studies have demonstrated that DUROLANE offers superior knee pain reduction compared to Synvisc-One[1] and provides longer-lasting pain relief compared to steroid injections[2].
Additionally, DUROLANE is considered safe for multiple rounds of therapy, as the incidence of adverse events does not increase with repeated use.
Benefits of Durolane Injections
Intra-articular injections of hyaluronic acid preparations are one of the most effective methods of joint osteoarthritis treatment. Since 2003, this method has been on the list of measures the World Health Organization recommended for patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis symptoms.
Most often, intraarticular therapy with hyaluronic acid preparations is combined with other conservative treatment methods.
It significantly reduces dependence on analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs, has a long-term therapeutic effect, slows the rate of osteoarthritis progression, and allows to postpone the joint replacement surgery for a long time.
What Benefits do Injections of Hyaluronic Acid Provide?
- Reduced pain and improved joint mobility
- Reducing reliance on analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs
- Year-long therapeutic effect preservation after a complete course of treatment
- Stimulation of natural hyaluronic acid synthesis and resilience of joint cartilage
- Deceleration of osteoarthritis progression and a possibility to avoid radical surgery or at least postpone it
- Excellent tolerability and lack of severe side effects.
Side Effects
Common Durolane side effects include pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site and a mild increase in pain or swelling in the joint.
Less Common Side Effects of Durolane
In rare cases, allergic reactions may occur, which can manifest as itching or hives, swelling, chest tightness, or trouble breathing.
Precautions and Safety Measures
Known contraindications to DUROLANE use. Unlike similar medications, DUROLANE is not produced from hyaluronic acid of animal origin, reducing the chance of an allergic reaction.
In severe stages of the disease, DUROLANE may not be effective. However, patients should consult their physician about this.
However, it is best to refrain from using Durolane in the following cases:
- If patients have skin diseases or infections in the area of potential product application
- If patients are allergic to sodium hyaluronate.
Durolane Dosage
The procedure is performed in a medical facility and takes approximately 10-15 minutes. DUROLANE is administered in a single injection into the affected joint.
Recommended Dosage:
- DUROLANE (3 ml): Symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate osteoarthritis of the knee and hip joints.
- DUROLANE SJ (1 ml): Symptomatic treatment of mild to moderate pain in osteoarthritis of the ankle, elbow, wrist, and finger joints.
- DUROLANE SJ is indicated for pain management after arthroscopy for existing osteoarthritis for three months after the procedure.
How to Administer Durolane Injection?
The recommended dose is 3 ml (one syringe) per knee or hip joint. A single injection is required for the treatment course.
Intra-articular injection into the hip joint should be performed under X-ray control (preferably an X-ray contrast agent) or ultrasound control to ensure proper needle positioning in the joint cavity. The use of local anesthetics is recommended during needle insertion.
Injection into the hip joint should be performed by a physician experienced in this type of injection.
Frequency of Injection
Repeated use is possible in the case of a positive effect of Durolane knee injections. Studies confirm that repeated Durolane treatment is just as effective as the first application and can be used no sooner than six months after the previous one.
Recovery After Durolane Injection
Following the procedure, patients should adhere to the following guidelines:
- Keep the injection site dry and covered with a clean bandage for 24 hours.
- For two days after the procedure, avoid taking a bath, jacuzzi, sauna, swimming, or any activity that involves immersion in water.
- It is normal to experience soreness at the injection site for several days, and patients are encouraged to consult their doctor about the possibility of taking pain medication.
- Patients should ask their doctor whether to avoid specific activities or movements, such as standing, jogging, or lifting weights.
- Refrain from applying warm or hot compresses to the injection site for at least one day after the procedure.
- It is common to experience stiffness in the knee or a springy sensation while walking, which can last for 2 to 3 days. A cold compress may be applied to the knee for 10-15 minutes every 4 hours to alleviate discomfort.
- Patients can continue taking their regular pain medication following the injection.
- Avoid applying creams or topical medications to the injection site for 24 hours.
Where to Buy Durolane Injection Online for Your Clinic?
If you represent a clinic and want to buy Durolane from a reliable supplier, check out the Maylips online store.
Benefits of Buying on Maylips.com
Maylips is an agency that specializes in importing medical products, providing an extensive range of professional skincare, cosmetic, and orthopedic solutions for both aesthetic and medical professionals.
We are committed to providing genuine brand-name products worldwide at affordable wholesale prices to ensure our customers receive top-quality products.
With Maylips.com, you get the following:
- Access to premium quality products at wholesale prices
- Unmatched customer service
- Free worldwide delivery (for €1000+ orders).
Conclusion
DUROLANE is suitable for patients diagnosed with osteoarthritis if they are:
- Not getting adequate pain relief from oral medications, physical therapy, or steroid injections
- Are unable to make regular joint movements because of increased stiffness and pain
- Cannot perform usual physical activities because of loss of strength or mobility in the joint
With over 2 million osteoarthritis patients worldwide choosing it as their preferred therapy, this treatment option boasts clinically proven safety even with repeated use courses. It also offers longer-lasting pain relief compared to both steroid injections and some HA alternatives.
References
- McGrath AF, McGrath AM, Jessop ZM, et al. A comparison of intra-articular hyaluronic acid competitors in the treatment of mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. J Arthritis. 2013; 2(1):108. doi:10.4172/2167-7921.1000108.
- Leighton R, Åkermark C, Therrien R, et. al. NASHA hyaluronic acid vs methylprednisolone for knee osteoarthritis: a prospective, multi-centre, randomized, non-inferiority trial. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2014; 22(1):17-25.
- DUROLANE [package insert]. Durham, NC: Bioventus LLC; 2017.