Ostenil & Corticosteroid Injections | Edinburgh

Treatments Classes

How Balanced Pain Relief Injection Therapy Works

For millions of people suffering from joint pain, whether from arthritis, injury, or wear and tear, finding lasting relief can feel like a daunting journey. While surgical interventions may offer permanent solutions for some, many are turning to non-surgical treatments that offer significant improvements in mobility and pain reduction. Among the most promising options are injection therapies using Ostenil and corticosteroids.

Understanding the Problem: Joint Pain and Inflammation

Joint pain is most commonly caused by osteoarthritis, an age-related degeneration of cartilage, the protective tissue at the ends of bones. As cartilage wears down, joints become stiff, swollen, and painful. Inflammation also plays a major role, especially in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or after acute injuries. So which injection will help you and be the most effective?

Understanding Your Joint's Mood

Sometimes your joints tell you exactly what they need:

Angry Joint 😡 - Inflamed, swollen, painful → Often helped by a Corticosteroid to calm inflammation
Grumpy Joint 😒 - Stiff, dry, creaky → Loves an Ostenil injection to reduce pain and increase joint function and mobility
Mixed Personality Joint 😤 - Both inflamed & dry → May benefit from both treatments for quick and lasting relief

Injection therapy is designed to target the joint directly, delivering medication exactly where it's needed to reduce pain and restore function.

Injection Therapy at Balanced, Edinburgh

More about... Ostenil Injections

Ostenil: Replacing What Time Takes Away

Ostenil is a brand name for a hyaluronic acid injection, a substance that mimics the body's natural joint lubricant. In healthy joints, hyaluronic acid allows smooth, frictionless motion. But in arthritic joints, this lubricant breaks down, leading to stiffness and pain.

How Ostenil Works:

Acts as a lubricant and shock absorber in the joint
Helps reduce inflammation
Improves joint mobility and reduces discomfort

Ostenil is most commonly used in knee joints, though it can be applied to other joints such as shoulders, hips, and even small joints in the hands and feet. Who benefits most? Patients with mild to moderate osteoarthritis are ideal candidates. Results vary, but many experience relief for 6 to 12 months, with some returning for annual treatments.

Ostenil® Plus For: Large joints with osteoarthritis (e.g., knee, hip, shoulder) Ostenil Plus is a high-strength hyaluronic acid injection combined with mannitol to help protect the HA from breakdown, making its effect last longer.

Helps with: Joint stiffness, reduced mobility, “creaky” or “dry” joints
Benefits: Pain relief, better movement, supports cartilage health
How it works: Lubricates and cushions the joint, helping it move more smoothly

Ostenil® Tendon For: Painful tendons (e.g., tennis elbow, Achilles tendinopathy, trigger finger) Specially formulated to restore the gliding motion between tendons and their sheath, reducing friction and irritation.

Helps with: Chronic tendon pain, swelling, or stiffness
Benefits: Reduced pain, easier movement, supports tendon healing
How it works: Restores the tendon's smooth movement, reducing mechanical stress

Ostenil® Mini For: Small joints (e.g., fingers, toes, small joints in the hand and foot) Contains the same high-quality HA in a smaller dose for precise treatment.

Helps with: Arthritis in smaller joints, stiffness, reduced function
Benefits: Targeted pain relief, restores movement in delicate areas
How it works: Replenishes HA in the joint, reducing friction and improving flexibility

More about... Steroid Injections

Steroid Injections: Fast Relief for Inflammation

If you're struggling with joint or soft tissue pain due to inflammation, a steroid injection could help reduce discomfort and get you moving again.Corticosteroid injections contain powerful anti-inflammatory medication that reduces swelling, heat, and pain in a matter of days.

How Steroid Injections Work:

Suppress immune response in inflamed tissue
Reduce pain rapidly often within 48-72 hours
May improve function and delay surgical need

We inject a small amount of steroid medicine directly into the area causing pain—such as a joint or surrounding soft tissue. This helps reduce inflammation at the source, calming the body's immune response and relieving pressure, swelling and irritation. Because the injection is targeted, very little of the medicine is absorbed into the rest of your body, which means fewer side effects. Steroid injections are often used alongside physiotherapy and rehabilitation, offering a “window of opportunity” for you to move more comfortably and engage in tailored recovery exercises.

How quickly do they work—and how long do they last?

You may start to feel some relief within a few days, although for some people it can take a little longer. Pain relief often lasts between 1 to 3 months, depending on the severity of the condition and the joint being treated. For example, joints with mild to moderate wear-and-tear often respond better than joints with advanced arthritis.

Are steroid injections safe?

Yes—when given by qualified professionals, steroid injections are very safe. However, as with any procedure, there are some small risks:
Temporary pain flare (24-48 hours) - usually mild and settles with rest and painkillers
Facial flushing - more common in women, usually passes in 1-3 days
Slight impact on blood sugar in people with diabetes - usually very short term
Bruising or bleeding - especially if you take blood thinners
Infection - very rare, but if you develop a hot, red, swollen joint and feel unwell, seek urgent medical attention
Skin thinning or colour change at the injection site (rare)
Allergic reaction - also very rare, but requires immediate medical help if symptoms occur

Who can have a steroid injection?

Most people are suitable, but there are some exceptions. Please let us know if you have:
A known allergy to steroid or local anaesthetic
An infection near the injection site or elsewhere in the body
Damaged or broken skin at the injection area
Metal implants near the site
Poorly controlled diabetes or a bleeding disorder
Recently had multiple steroid injections in the same area (3-4 per year is the recommended limit)
Are pregnant or breastfeeding
Also, steroid injections are most effective when inflammation is the main problem. If your pain is due to structural damage or instability, other treatment options may be better for you.

When to Choose Ostenil® vs Corticosteroid vs Combination

Condition / Symptom	Ostenil	Corticosteroid	Combination
Mild-Moderate osteoarthritis with stiffness but little inflammation	✅ Best choice	❌ Not needed	❌
OA with flare-up and inflammation	✅ Good choice	✅ Good for inflammation	✅ Often best for quick relief + long-term benefit
Tendinopathy without acute swelling	✅ Best choice	❌	❌
Tendinopathy with acute inflammation	✅ Good choice	✅ For swelling	✅ In selected cases

Combination Therapy: Ostenil + Steroids

In some cases, doctors may combine hyaluronic acid and steroid injections to optimise both immediate and long-term outcomes. The steroid provides rapid inflammation control, while Ostenil helps restore joint mechanics and sustain comfort.

This approach is particularly beneficial for: Athletes with overuse injuries, older adults seeking non-surgical pain relief or patients looking to postpone joint replacement surgery.

What to Expect During the Procedure

Both Ostenil and steroid injections are administered in a clinical setting. The clinician ensures precise placement of the injection into the joint space. The entire process usually takes less than 15 minutes, and patients can resume light activities shortly after.

What should I expect after the injection?

You'll be monitored for about 10 minutes after your injection. Most people are fine to go about their day, but we recommend resting the joint for 24-48 hours and avoiding strenuous activity. You may feel a bit sore for a day or two, this is known as a 'steroid flare' and is normal. You can use paracetamol and a cold compress to ease discomfort.

Will my insurance cover the cost?

Many private health insurance plans do cover steroid injections, especially if recommended by a healthcare professional. Some policies require a GP referral or pre-authorisation, so it's best to check with your insurer in advance. The level of coverage may vary, some policies include both consultation and injection, while others cover only part of the service.

Why Choose Balanced Physio for Your Injection Therapy?

✅ Experienced clinicians - physiotherapists, and specialists

✅ Ostenil® Approved Clinic - certified for safe, effective HA injections

✅ Personalised treatment plan - tailored to your joint or tendon's needs

✅ Convenient, central Edinburgh location

📞 Book your injection consultation today and take the first step towards easier, pain-free movement.

Fast Facts About Injection Therapy

Procedure time: 10-15 minutes
Relief onset: Steroids (2-3 days), Ostenil (up to 2 weeks)
Duration of relief: Steroids (weeks to months), Ostenil (6-12 months)
Best for: Osteoarthritis, joint injuries, inflammatory joint conditions
Risks: Mild swelling, rare infection, temporary flare

Our Injection Therapist, Polly Mackie

With over 20 years’ experience across the NHS, private practice, and sports medicine, Polly is an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner specialising in joint and soft tissue injections. She is highly skilled in assessing, diagnosing, and treating musculoskeletal conditions, using steroid and hyaluronic acid injections to reduce pain and improve recovery.

How to proceed

Book a free clinical consultation call. This will determine your eligibility for this procedure and answer any questions you might have.

Click below to request a free consultation or call 0131 315 3105.

Request Your Free Consultation

Injection Therapy with Ostenil and Steroids can offer relief without surgery.

Injection therapy with Ostenil and corticosteroids represents a safe, minimally invasive, and effective option for managing joint pain. For the right patient, these treatments can delay or even prevent the need for surgery, offering months of improved mobility and quality of life.