The Skin & Joint Injection ClinicHyaluronic acid injection · Wirral
Ostenil Plus Injection in Wirral
A non-steroid hyaluronic acid injection considered for suitable osteoarthritis-related joint pain.
What is Ostenil Plus?
A non-steroid hyaluronic acid injection for arthritic joints
Ostenil® Plus is a single-injection viscosupplementation treatment containing hyaluronic acid with mannitol. Hyaluronic acid is a natural part of healthy joint fluid, and in osteoarthritis the aim of the injection is to support joint lubrication and ease pain in suitable patients. Where Durolane sits specifically within the knee joint as a longer-acting single shot, Ostenil Plus is a versatile option also considered for shoulder, hip, thumb-base and other osteoarthritic joints after careful assessment — often preferred by patients who would rather discuss a non-steroid route first.
Ostenil Plus hyaluronic acid injection
From£280
Includes consultation, the procedure itself, ultrasound guidance where appropriate and aftercare. Anterior hip injection is £600.
When osteoarthritis is making ordinary movement harder
Osteoarthritis can quietly make ordinary movement feel harder than it should. Stiffness, swelling and joint pain can affect walking, stairs, sleep, work and exercise. Many patients we see have already tried weight management, exercise, pain relief or physiotherapy before they ask about injections.
If you have knee osteoarthritis or another suitable arthritic joint, the consultation starts by understanding what is driving your pain. We look at your history, examination, previous treatments, activity goals and any imaging already available before suggesting Ostenil Plus or another route.
How it works
Supporting the joint's own lubrication system
Hyaluronic acid is found naturally in joint fluid, where it helps the surfaces glide smoothly. In osteoarthritis, the joint environment changes and movement can become painful or stiff. An Ostenil Plus injection introduces additional hyaluronic acid directly into the joint, supporting lubrication and cushioning in selected patients.
The mannitol component is included to help protect the hyaluronic acid from oxidative breakdown, which may support its duration of effect. Response and how long the benefit lasts vary between patients.
We use ultrasound guidance where appropriate so the clinician can see the joint during the procedure and support accurate placement. Your consultation explains how Ostenil Plus compares with steroid injection, Arthrosamid, PRF, physiotherapy and onward referral so you can choose with a clear head.
Joints we commonly treat
Where Ostenil Plus is commonly considered
Ostenil Plus is more versatile than knee-only hyaluronic acid preparations and is considered across the major synovial joints affected by osteoarthritis. Suitability is decided at consultation after a full musculoskeletal assessment.
Knee osteoarthritis. Tibiofemoral and patellofemoral compartments — easing the deep ache, joint-line grinding and stiffness that disrupt walking, stairs and weight-bearing activity.
Shoulder osteoarthritis & glenohumeral pain. Considered for arthritic shoulder pain where a non-steroid route is preferred, particularly when steroid injections have lost effect or are not appropriate.
Hip osteoarthritis. Targeted cushioning into the femoroacetabular joint, often used alongside physiotherapy when groin and anterior-thigh pain is limiting walking distance.
Ankle & talo-crural joint osteoarthritis. Useful for post-traumatic ankle wear and chronic ankle instability where movement restriction and pain affect everyday activity.
Base of thumb (1st carpometacarpal joint) osteoarthritis. Easing the burning, pinch-grip pain felt during everyday manual tasks — opening jars, writing, gripping a steering wheel.
The Ostenil Plus advantage
Lubrication support, symptom reduction and non-steroid care
For the right diagnosis, hyaluronic acid offers a different approach to joint pain — working with the joint's natural chemistry rather than suppressing inflammation alone.
01
Supports Joint Lubrication
OSTENIL PLUS contains hyaluronic acid, a natural part of joint fluid. The aim is to support lubrication in a suitable osteoarthritis-affected joint.
02
May Ease Pain and Stiffness
Some patients notice less pain or stiffness after hyaluronic acid injection. Response and duration vary, and suitability is checked before treatment.
03
Non-Steroid Option
Ostenil Plus may suit patients who want to discuss a non-steroid injection option for osteoarthritis-related symptoms. Risks and alternatives are covered in consultation.
Honest about the evidence
Built on published clinical evidence
Ostenil Plus is a mannitol-stabilised hyaluronic acid formulation. The mannitol is included as an antioxidant to help protect the hyaluronic acid from oxidative breakdown inside the joint, which has been linked to a longer duration of effect compared with standard hyaluronic acid preparations.
In published cohort and observational studies of mannitol-stabilised hyaluronic acid for knee osteoarthritis,around 70 to 80 percent of suitable patients report meaningful improvements in pain and joint function at six months. Reductions in WOMAC pain scores of roughly 40 to 50 percent are commonly reported, and many patients continue to feel the benefit well beyond the six-month mark.
Individual response varies, and Ostenil Plus is not presented as a cure. For the right diagnosis, what it offers is a non-steroid route to several months of meaningful symptom relief from a single injection, delivered with ultrasound guidance where appropriate.
How the joint injections compare
Steroid vs Ostenil Plus vs Arthrosamid
The three injection routes we most often discuss for arthritic joint pain are not interchangeable — each suits a different point in the journey. Your consultation tailors the recommendation to your diagnosis, previous treatment and goals.
Treatment
Primary mechanism
Best suited for
Typical duration
Steroid injection
A potent anti-inflammatory that settles acute inflammation in joints, bursae and tendon sheaths.
Variable — often several months in suitable patients, depending on the joint and diagnosis.
Ostenil Plus (hyaluronic acid)
Primary mechanism
Viscosupplementation. Supports joint lubrication and cushioning, working with rather than suppressing inflammation.
Best suited for
Mild-to-moderate chronic osteoarthritis where joint preservation and a non-steroid route are priorities.
Typical duration
Several months in suitable patients; individual response varies.
Arthrosamid (iPAAG hydrogel)
Primary mechanism
A non-biodegradable polyacrylamide hydrogel that integrates with the inner lining of the knee joint capsule.
Best suited for
Advanced knee osteoarthritis where conservative options and shorter-acting injections have been exhausted.
Typical duration
Long-lasting in suitable responders; clinical follow-up has shown sustained benefit over several years in selected patients.
Individual response and duration of benefit vary between patients. This table is a guide, not a substitute for clinical assessment.
Your Journey With Us
Assessment, treatment and aftercare, clearly explained.
We know it can feel difficult to book a procedure when you are not sure what will happen next. Your clinician will explain suitability, risks, recovery and aftercare before treatment goes ahead.
Book
Choose a consultation online or speak to the clinic if you are not sure which service fits. Most appointments are available within seven days.
Assessment
An in-person review with Dr Mugerwa: he will listen to your story, examine the area and walk through what is going on.
Plan
An honest recommendation. If treatment is suitable we will explain the options, risks and likely outcomes. If it is not, we will tell you and refer you on.
Treatment
The procedure itself, followed by tailored aftercare guidance and a clear contact route if anything changes during recovery.
“Can't have this injection on the NHS so I'm so happy I can receive it at the Clinic. Easy to get an appointment, excellent facilities, professional and caring doctor. I highly recommend.”
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Ostenil Plus
The questions patients most often ask about Ostenil Plus — including how it compares with steroid injection and Durolane, what to expect from a single shot, and whether it's right for your particular joint.
Response and duration of benefit vary between patients. Many people report easier movement and reduced stiffness over the first two to three weeks, with peak benefit commonly described around week six. A single Ostenil Plus injection often provides several months of symptom relief in suitable patients, depending on factors such as the severity of osteoarthritis, daily activity and individual response.
No. Ostenil Plus is a hyaluronic acid (with mannitol) viscosupplementation. Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of healthy joint fluid, and the injection is intended to support joint lubrication rather than suppress inflammation in the way a steroid does. For some patients — particularly those who would rather avoid corticosteroids — this is the preferred route.
Both are single-injection hyaluronic acid treatments, but they are formulated differently and used in different situations. Ostenil Plus is the more versatile option we use across the knee, shoulder, hip, thumb-base and other osteoarthritic joints. Durolane is a more cross-linked formulation we consider specifically for knee osteoarthritis where a longer-acting single shot is the priority. Your consultation explains which is the better fit for your particular joint and pattern of pain.
Mannitol is included as an antioxidant. Its role is to help protect the hyaluronic acid from oxidative breakdown inside the joint, which has been associated in published studies with a longer duration of effect compared with standard hyaluronic acid preparations. It is not a separate active drug — its purpose is to help the hyaluronic acid last longer in the joint space.
Yes — Ostenil Plus does not affect blood glucose, which is one of the reasons patients with diabetes often prefer a hyaluronic acid route over a steroid injection. We still complete a full clinical assessment to confirm suitability before treatment.
Side effects are uncommon and usually mild. The most frequently reported are a short-lived sensation of fullness, mild ache or stiffness in the joint for 24–48 hours after the injection as the gel settles. As with any injection, there is a small risk of bruising or infection at the site, which we discuss with you before treatment.
We treat the injection as one part of a wider plan rather than the whole answer. For most patients with osteoarthritis, ongoing physiotherapy, exercise, weight management and activity adjustment remain important to maintain joint function. Ostenil Plus often creates the pain-free window that makes engaging properly with these easier.
Related treatments
Useful next steps if you are comparing treatment options at our Wirral clinic.
