CONSULTATION
At the consultation, your physician will complete an evaluation of your injury and together you will come up with a plan to improve your function and ease your pain. Whether this leads to allied health treatment, injection therapy, or surgical and alternate specialist referral – we will do our best to find the appropriate treatment for you.
CORTICOSTEROID INJECTIONS (CSI)
Corticosteroid injections are potent anti-inflammatory injections commonly used for short term pain relief for restoration of function and to facilitate physical therapy. They provide local anti-inflammatory relief.
HYALURONIC ACID INJECTIONS (HA)
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a gel-like substance that is naturally found in joint fluid and functions to cushion and lubricate joints. In osteoarthritis, this fluid breaks down. Doctors inject synthetic hyaluronic acid into the joint to lower friction, ease pain, and help the joint function better. Hyaluronic Acid injections are indicated for mild to moderate joint osteoarthritis. A new type of Hyaluronic Acid known as Soft Tissue Adapted Biocompatible Hyaluronic Acid (STABHA) is available in Canada. STABHA is the first HA product in Canada designed to relieve pain, lubricate, and restore function in damaged tendons and ligaments. HA provides longer term pain relief and improvement in overall function.
PLATELET RICH PLASMA (PRP)
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy for sports medicine is a regenerative therapy that involves a blood draw followed by centrifugation of your own blood to obtain a higher concentration of platelets. These platelets contain growth factors that counteract harmful cytokines to help improve pain and function in osteoarthritis and various soft tissue injuries. PRP may be an option with you after shared decision making with your physician. At Guelph Sports Medicine we offer multiple options for PRP that vary in concentration of platelets and preparation process. You and your physician will decide what may be optimal for your injury.
PROLOTHERAPY
Prolotherapy is a non-surgical regenerative therapy that involves injecting a harmless irritant solution (most commonly dextrose solution) into the area of concern. This promotes a controlled local inflammatory response prompting the body to repair and strengthen damaged connective tissue. Prolotherapy typically requires multiple treatments to optimize the healing potential, and an appropriate plan will be individualized for your injury.
ARTHROSAMID
Arthrosamid is authorized by Health Canada and is a single-dose, non-biodegradable polyacrylamide hydrogel (iPAAG) injection—for treating knee osteoarthritis. Administered at select specialized clinics in Canada including GSM, the 6 mL intra-articular injection permanently integrates into the joint’s synovial tissue to cushion and lubricate the knee, offering long-lasting pain relief without surgery. There are studies showing that Arthrosamid may exceed the minimally important clinical difference of pain control for 1-5 years and potentially beyond.
ULTRASOUND GUIDANCE
At Guelph Sports Medicine we use ultrasound guidance for all our procedures at no additional cost to the patient. There are few exceptions where in fact ultrasound is not needed for your treatment and it will be discussed with your physician.