Sports Professionals Choose OSTENIL®

2012 London Olympics

OSTENIL was the only intra-articular sodium hyaluronate product listed in the official 2012 Olympic formulary used by medical staff. 

Football Players

Former international and Premiership footballers, Danny Webber and David Thompson, say that OSTENIL® injections helped them to play for longer at professional level. Please follow the links to listen to former professional players, striker Danny Webber and midfielder David Thompson talk about their experience with the treatment.
Click on the images to get to the YouTube video:

Danny Webber

David Thompson

Football Club Physios

Premier League Head of Medical & European Head Physio, Peter Friar, considers OSTENIL® as “underused in a lot of areas”, and states that he has “only ever seen a positive reaction to an OSTENIL® injection”. He noticed the positive effects of OSTENIL® injections because it actually helps to prolong the career of professional players.
Peter recommends the use of OSTENIL® “at the early onset of joint degeneration”, because it “prevents the acceleration of knee injury issues”. He even finds it “crazy that we don’t offer it more often”.

Peter Friar

Take-Home Message?

Where surgery is not feasible due to work, or when a professional athlete during the competing season has sports commitments which would make viscosupplementation a preferable treatment option in the interim, OSTENIL® is the viscosupplement of choice for knee and ankle problems.

Meniscal Injuries and How OSTENIL® PLUS Can Help

If diagnosed in the early stages, meniscal injuries don’t necessarily require surgery. Where the damage is structurally superficial but causing pain or discomfort, patients may benefit from conservative treatments such as physiotherapy or intra-articular injections with Sodium Hyaluronate (Viscosupplementation Therapy).

But if you decide your patient may benefit from therapeutic Viscosupplementation – which product should you choose?

A recent clinical study compared the efficacy of 3 different viscosupplements in young and middle-aged patients with early-stage meniscal injuries¹. OSTENIL® PLUS was one of the viscosupplements used.

Although there were statistically significant improvements in VAS and WOMAC scores across all groups compared with baseline, numeric and trend values favoured the OSTENIL® PLUS group overall.

Other benefits associated with using OSTENIL® PLUS : A non-animal derived, optimal molecular weight, injectable Sodium Hyaluronate with Mannitol, no chemical cross linking - therefore not prone to inducing adverse reactions, licensed for use in all synovial joints, competitively priced at just £80 per syringe http://ostenil.trbchemedica.co.uk/products/ostenil-plus.


1 Dernek B, Kesiktas FN, Duymus TM, Diracoglu D, Aksoy C. Therapeutic efficacy of three hyaluronic acid formulations in young and middle-aged patients with early-stage meniscal injuries. Journal of Physical Therapy Science. 2017;29(7):1148-1153. doi:10.1589/jpts.29.1148.

OSTENIL® TENDON injections are more effective than corticosteroid injections for the treatment of tendon disorders

Tendon disorders are the most frequent cause of pain in the musculoskeletal system of physically active individuals. There are various conservative treatment methods, but most of them only offer short-term relief. When injecting steroids in the elbow region, the risk of tendon damage also increases.1

A meta-analysis showed that steroid injections are not more effective than placebos.2 Is there also a treatment option that is effective and offers more long-term relief of tendon disorders when taken?

Gorelick et al.3,4 investigated the effectiveness of sodium hyaluronate for the treatment of various tendon disorders. 157 patients diagnosed with tennis elbow were included in the study and divided into three groups. 54 patients received a corticosteroid injection, 49 patients were given an injection with OSTENIL® TENDON (2% sodium hyaluronate) and 54 patients received a combination therapy comprising an initial corticosteroid injection and, 7-10 days later, an OSTENIL® TENDON injection. The efficacy was evaluated using the VAS score and DASH score (Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand). Follow-up examinations were carried out 6 and 12 months after treatment.

There was a significant reduction in pain after one year compared to the initial value (p<0.0001) for all three forms of treatment. The treatments with OSTENIL® TENDON and the combination therapy were significantly better (p<0.001) than the treatment with corticosteroids after one year. Furthermore, in comparison to the corticosteroid group, there were no side effects (0 vs 10). The level of pain using the VAS scale dropped in the OSTENIL® TENDON group from 10.0 to 0.5, while this only dropped to 5.5 in the corticosteroid group. After one year, combination therapy showed similar effects to the OSTENIL® TENDON treatment, however, there were more side effects attributable to the corticosteroids. The long-term effect of the treatment with OSTENIL® TENDON is also interesting. While pain in the OSTENIL® TENDON group continued to subside over the course of the study, the corticosteroid group experienced an increase in pain again after 6 months.

►Conclusion: An injection with OSTENIL® TENDON is significantly superior to treatment with corticosteroids for the treatment of tennis elbow. The effect of the treatment lasts for a period of at least one year.

A further study investigated the effect of the OSTENIL® TENDON treatment for problems with the Achilles tendon. 56 patients with a newly diagnosed case of Achilles tendinopathy which had not yet been treated were included in the study. 20 patients received an injection with OSTENIL® TENDON, 19 patients were given an injection with corticosteroids and another 17 patients received a combination therapy of rest, splint, physiotherapy and NSARs. The VAS pain scale and the FADI score (Foot and Ankle Disability Index) were used to evaluate efficacy. Follow-up examinations were carried out after 6 weeks and after 3, 6 and 12 months.

All patients suffered from severe pain in the Achilles tendon at the start of the study. The value was 10 cm on the VAS pain scale. All treatment groups exhibited a reduction in pain over the course of the study. However, the sodium hyaluronate group (SH group) was superior to the corticosteroid group at all intervals during the study. Superiority achieved statistical significance after 6 and after 12 months. The carryover effect of the OSTENIL® TENDON treatment could also be seen again here. Even one year after the end of treatment, the pain subsided continuously, while there was an increase in pain again for the steroid group. The effect of corticosteroid treatment corresponded to the effect of conservative treatment in the long term.
Both studies confirm the superiority of the OSTENIL® TENDON treatment compared to the corticosteroid treatment. The effect of the corticosteroid treatment decreases over time, while the effect of OSTENIL® TENDON is still visible even after one year.

►Conclusion: The OSTENIL® TENDON injections are significantly more effective than corticosteroid injections for the treatment of tennis elbow and problems with the Achilles tendon. The effect lasts for a period of at least 12 months.

References:

1 Osborne H (2010): Stop injecting corticosteroid into patients with tennis elbow, they are much more likely to get better by themselves! J Sci Med Sport 13: 380-381.
2 Krogh TP, Bartels EM, Ellingsen T, Stengaard Pedersen K, Buchbinder R, et al. (2013): Comparative effectiveness of injection therapies in lateral epicondylitis: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Am J Sports Med 41: 1435-1446.
3 Gorelick L, Gorelick AR, Saab A, Ram E, Robinson D (2015): Lateral Epicondylitis Injection Therapy: A Safety and Efficacy Analysis of Hyaluronate versus Corticosteroid Injections. Adv Tech Biol Med 3: 130.
4 Gorelick L et al.; Single Hyaluronate Injection in the Management of Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy in Comparison to Corticosteroid Injections and Non-invasive Conservative Treatments, Sch Bull,: Jul 2015, 16-20.

NHS England: Even Longer Delays for Total Joint Replacements! What’s the solution?

A recent statement issued by NHS England’s Simon Stevens has caused concern that some patients awaiting elective knee and hip replacement operations may have to wait longer than is presently recommended to receive treatment. Current constraints on NHS funding and an increase in demand means budgets are having to be redirected to focus on A&E and cancer care.  The NHS has also stipulated that GPs should considerably reduce the number of people being referred to secondary care Consultants. 

Here are links to articles on this issue:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-39420662?

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2017/apr/02/labour-challenges-hunt-over-dropping-nhs-waiting-times-target

Are there any therapeutic options open to clinicians which may help alleviate the problems that some patients will face as a result of these changes?

It has been recognised for many years that Viscosupplementation can offer a valuable bridge between conservative care and surgery. Clinical studies have consistently shown intra-articular hyaluronic acid (HA) injections to be safe, efficacious and cost-effective (1-3). 

Before the introduction of the single injection HA OSTENIL® PLUS, OSTENIL® injections were usually administered as a course of up to 5 weekly injections. Mathies et al - in a seminal examination of the relationship between Viscosupplementation and the quality of synovial fluid - showed that Viscosupplementation could delay total knee replacements (TKR) by 4.5 to 6 months, and for some patients up to 12 months. His study also demonstrated that “OSTENIL® was safe and significantly improved symptoms in patients with painful advanced knee OA who were awaiting TKR, and that it improved the quality of life of these patients.” (4) In a larger study which examined the potential of HA for delaying knee arthroplasty, Altman demonstrated that “HA injection in patients with knee OA is associated with a dose-dependent increase in time-to-TKR” (7).

Since the introduction of OSTENIL® PLUS, patients have garnered the same symptom-reducing benefits from a single injection, and for the administering clinician - as well as the patient - the process is a lot more convenient. Significant symptomatic reduction and functional improvement was demonstrated in patients suffering moderate knee OA for up to 6 months following a single injection of OSTENIL® PLUS. (5,6). 

So why aren’t more OA patients in the UK being offered the option to help alleviate symptoms and potentially delay their joint replacement?

One of the major obstacles at present is the “Do not recommend intra-articular HA to treat osteoarthritis” in the current NIHCE guidelines on Knee OA. Although it is important to understand that the NIHCE Guidelines (CG177) DO NOT prohibit clinicians from using OSTENIL. In fact, OSTENIL® PLUS DOES meet the QLY cost to benefit criteria quoted by CG177.

Given the current climate in relation to treating degenerative joint change, clinicians and their patients have a limited number of options left open to them: simple analgesics, NSAIDs, and corticosteroid injections, none of which are entirely benign with prolonged use. Physiotherapy alone is not always an option if the joint has degenerated to such an extent that it makes exercise too painful. All this means that the impact on quality of life due to longer waiting times will be felt even more by an ageing and increasingly overweight population.

If you as an injecting physiotherapist/MSk specialist are receiving an increasing number of referrals of patients suffering symptomatic OA from GPs, have you considered Viscosupplementation as an option?

OSTENIL® injections do not require a Consultant to administer. Instead, local MSk triage services can offer a cost effective solution, providing GPs with an alternative patient treatment pathway, helping avoid unnecessary secondary care referrals - and the associated tariff fee - which would more than cover the cost of an OSTENIL® PLUS injection. As a result, not only would the ever growing demand on secondary care be ameliorated, patient waiting times could be reduced, and clinical outcomes improved. 

If you would like more information or chat to one of our representatives, please contact us on info@trbchemedica.co.uk. You can also visit our website here: ostenil.trbchemedica.co.uk, or call us on 0845 330 7556. 


REFERENCES:

1. Möller I et al. Presented at the 6th World Conference of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International 2001; poster PB22
2. Tsvetkova E et al. Ann Rheum Dis 2010;69(Suppl3):281
3. Funk L et al. Presented at the 9th World Conference of the Osteoarthritis Research Society International 2004; poster P338
4. Mathies B et al. Presented at the 5th Symposium of the International Cartilage Repair Society. May 26–29, 2004; poster 397.
5. Borràs Verdera A et al. Poster presented at the XXV triennial world congress of the International Society of Orthopedic and Traumatology. September 6-9, 2011.
6. K Frobenius “A new high-dose treatment with intra-articular hyaluronic acid facilitates the management of osteoarthritis”. Orthopädische Praxis 46, 5, 2009
7. Altman R, Lim S, Steen RG, Dasa V (2015) “Hyaluronic Acid Injections Are Associated with Delay of Total Knee Replacement Surgery in Patients with Knee Osteoarthritis: Evidence from a Large U.S. Health Claims Database. PLoS ONE 10(12): e0145776. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0145776

Why consider topical Sodium Hyaluronate (HA) in the treatment of tendinopathy?

Firstly, the difference between HA and other glycosaminoglycans is that it is non-sulfated, forms in the plasma membrane instead of the Golgi apparatus, and can be very large, with its molecular weight often reaching the millions1. HA is considered to be a key molecule in the tissue regeneration process. It has been shown to modulate via specific HA receptors, inflammation, cellular migration, and angiogenesis, which are the main phases of wound healing7.

In relation to tendinopathies, hyaluronic acid modulates a variety of cellular functions: anti-inflammatory activity, enhanced cellular proliferation and collagen deposition. Studies have shown a link between the inhibition of fibroblast proliferation, with a reduction in the formation of adhesions at the tendon healing site; by limiting the proliferation of fibroblasts, HA may reduce the risk of adhesions.2

It has sometimes been assumed, in relation to tendinopathic change, that because there is an excess of GAGs detectable within the local bio-chemical environment, there is an excess of hyaluronan, which is not necessarily the case. For example, the activity of hyaluronidase (enzymes that catalyse the degradation of hyaluronan) has been shown to increase during the healing of equine superficial digital flexor tendon injuries6.

Multiple studies analysing tendon healing have confirmed that HA reduces the formation of scars and granulation tissue, and also prevents adhesions2. Importantly, HA forms part of the extracellular matrix as a major component of ground substance, giving structure for other GAGs and proteoglycans3. In tendon healing, the GAGs provide a temporary structure in the early stages of the wound4. So without the presence of HA, there is evidence to suggest that other GAGs are of limited use. Also, high levels of HA are thought to be instrumental in scar-less healing by facilitating the movement and proliferation of fibroblasts, and by regulating the production and type of collagen5.

HA also plays an important role as a hydrating agent, being able to absorb 3,000 times its own weight in water4. HA appears to inhibit the expression of key intermediaries for the inflammatory signalling pathways (NF-kB), by reducing the expression of pro inflammatory factors, exogenous HA may reduce the fragmentation of endogenous HA and further stimulate synthesis of endogenous HA.7,8.

References

1.       Fraser JR, Laurent TC, Laurent UB (1997). "Hyaluronan: its nature, distribution, functions and turnover" (PDF). J. Intern. Med. 242 (1): 27–33. doi:10.1046/j.1365-2796.1997.00170.x. PMID 9260563.
2.       Michele Abate, Cosima Schiavone, and Vincenzo Salini, “The Use of Hyaluronic Acid after Tendon Surgery and in Tendinopathies,” BioMed Research International, vol. 2014, Article ID 783632, 6 pages, 2014. doi:10.1155/2014/783632.
3.       Bertolami, C.N. (1984)Glycosaminoglycan interactions in early wound repair. In: Hunt, T.K., Heppenstall, R.B., Pines., Rovee, D. (eds). Soft and Hard Tissue Repair: Biological and clinical aspects. Eastbourne: Praeger Scientific.
4.       Snyder, R.J. (1999)Wound management: a global perspective. Ostomy/Wound Management 45: 9, 26-30.
5.       Desai, H. (1997)Ageing and wounds, part 2: healing in old age. Journal of Wound Care 6: 5, 237-239.
6.       J. W. Foland, G. W. Trotter, B. E. Powers, R. H. Wrighley, and F. W. Smith, “Effect of sodium hyaluronate in collagenase-induced superficial digital flexor tendinitis in horses,” American Journal of Veterinary Research, vol. 53, no. 12, pp. 2371–2376, 1992.
7.       Litwiniuk M., Krejner A., Grzela T. (2016). Hyaluronic acid in inflammation and tissue regeneration. Wounds 28, 78–88.
8.       Litwiniuk, Malgorzata, Alicja Krejner, and Tomasz Grzela. "Hyaluronic Acid In Inflammation And Tissue Regeneration". Wounds 28.3 (2016): n. pag. Print.

Tear supplements


Currently, tear supplements are available as solutions, ointments and gels. They can be used as often as necessary to keep the corneal surface and conjunctiva wet. Preferably, the topical application of a well-formulated tear supplement and lubricating agent should provide relief for both aqueous- and mucin-deficient dry eye. Moreover, functions associated with the lipid layer of the precorneal tear film should not be altered by the tear supplement.

There are several objectives that tear supplements aim to fulfil in the treatment of dry eye.

Objectives of tear supplements

Ideally, tear supplements should fulfil the physico-chemical role of a normal tear film. In addition, they should not disturb corneal metabolism nor be toxic to the eye, even with frequent use. It should also have a refractive index similar to that of the cornea to see correctly. This involves consideration of certain characteristics in the formulation if tear supplements are to resemble physiological tears. These include electrolyte concentration, viscosity, mucomimetic properties, pH, osmolarity and the absence of preservatives. 

Your can read more about this subject here: http://vismed.trbchemedica.co.uk/business-professionals/vismed-eye-drops/the-ideal-tear-supplement 

Would you like to work for TRB Chemedica?

TRB Chemedica (UK) Ltd is currently recruiting four Graduate Sales Representatives in the South of England. You must have a life sciences degree, particularly in Biology, Medical, Pharmacology, Pharmacy, Chemistry, Nursing, Sports Science, or relevant experience in the field, with excellent language and presentation skills. You will be selling our rheumatology and ophthalmic products to customers in the NHS and private practice. 

If you think you’re the right person for us then please send your CV to recruit@trbchemedica.co.uk.

For more information please also visit our website http://www.trbchemedica.co.uk/careers. 

Most Common Cause of Dry Eye: Meibomian Gland​ Dysfunction

Meibomian glands help to form the superficial layer of fat on the tear film. This reduces the evaporation of the tear fluid, improves stability, protects the surface of the eye and is essential for good visual function. Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) can lead to dry eye due to increased evaporation. MGD is thus responsible for approximately 60 % of all cases of dry eye alone and for a further 20 % of cases associated with a deficiency in the aqueous tear film phase.

Meibomian Gland Dysfunction (MGD) can therefore be considered as the most common cause of dry eye.

Baudouin et al. presented a new pathological diagram of MGD in an attempt to give a clearer picture of the basic mechanisms involved in the development and interaction of dry eye. It should facilitate a more effective treatment of MGD and dry eye in clinical practice 1:

To continue to read this informative article please click on the link here: http://vismed.trbchemedica.co.uk/clinicians/newsletters/pathophysiology-of-meibomian-gland-dysfunction

1. Baudouin C, Messmer EM, Aragona P, Geerling G, Akova YA, Benítez-Del-Castillo J, Boboridis KG, Merayo-Lloves J, Rolando M, Labetoulle M. Revisiting the vicious circle of dry eye disease: a focus on the pathophysiology of meibomian gland dysfunction. Br J Ophthalmol. 2016 May;100(3):300-6

OSTENIL is #injectionofoil 

In a Twitter conversation this weekend, former Premiership footballer, Don Hutchison, recommended OSTENIL as a "god send" [sic] and as "#injectionofoil":


Thank you for the commendation, and best wishes to you!

New Guidelines Offer Hope for Older UK Osteoarthritis Sufferers

A report on how people suffering with symptomatic Osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee may still be able to remain active in sport has just been published in the Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine: January 2016 - Volume 26 - Issue 1 - p 1–11 doi: 10.1097/JSM.0000000000000274

The authors – who are all members of The American Medical Society for Sport Medicine (AMSSM), an organisation which represents over 2100 nonsurgical sports medicine physicians - carried out a detailed meta-analysis (a process where the results of many different studies are pooled and then subjected to sensitive statistical testing) of all relevant clinical investigations relating to the use of Viscosupplementation published between 1960 and 2014.  Viscosupplementation is an internationally recognised treatment modality for Osteoarthritis of the knee. The process involves injecting Hyaluronic Acid (HA) or Sodium Hyaluronate as it is often referred to, directly into the affected joint. HA is a viscous fluid which closely resembles the natural synovial fluid found in all healthy articular joints...

Continue here: http://www.trbchemedica.co.uk/news/new-guidelines-offer-hope-to-older-oa-sufferers

Improved VISMED MULTI OSD Bottle

The award-winning OSD bottle we use for VISMED MULTI and VISMED GEL MULTI has recently been updated. This comes as a result of our policy of ongoing improvement to products and procedures. We listened to our customers and patients who were ...asking for some amendments to the OSD bottle and this is what has been achieved:

- Release strength reduced by 25% - 30%.
- The new type bottle now feels the same at half empty as the old style when completely full.
- The bottle can be emptied more easily due to a better drop control.

You can read more about it here:
http://www.trbchemedica.co.uk/news/vismed-multi-osd-improved

Efficacy of Hypotonic 0.18% Sodium Hyaluronate Eye Drops in Patients With Dry Eye Disease

The above is the title of a new study by Lee HS et al, published in June 2014. "Hypotonic 0.18% SH eye drops seemed to be effective in improving tear film stability and ocular surface integrity compared with isotonic 0.1% SH eye drops in patients with mild DED."

The abstract can be viewed here: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24915018

http://www.trbchemedica.co.uk/dry-eyes/hypotonic-eye-drops

What to do after joint injections

You have just had an injection with hyaluronic acid to treat osteoarthritis, but what else can you do?

Exercising helps to prolong the benefit
of hyaluronic acid joint injections

After your injection with OSTENIL® hyaluronic acid (or: sodium hyaluronate) into your knee joint, or other synovial joint, you may want to utilise and prolong the positive effects of the treatment and get your joints moving again. Your Physiotherapist or GP can give you some helpful advice on which exercises and type of activity would be most suitable to further improve and stabilise your joints.
Here are some ideas:

Knee, shoulder and hip:

• Frequent exercising that won't put too much pressure on the joints: e.g. swimming, walking, cycling
• Specific physiotherapy exercises to strengthen the muscles surrounding the joint
• Reducing weight

Fingers and toes:

• Regular movement exercises to maintain joint flexibility
• Bathing fingers and toes in warm water to reduce pain
• Stretching fingers and toes as far as pain allows

Back joints:

• Strengthening and stretching abdominal muscles (back and stomach muscles)
• Relaxing painful back muscles by applying warmth, e.g. hot water bottle

Relief from Dry Eye for Blepharitis Sufferer

Dry Eye Relief with VISMED® MULTI

Hilary Fallon suffers from dry eye which is caused by blepharitis. She treats the symptoms using VISMED® eye drops. This is what she had to say about her condition and how VISMED® eye drops have helped her to find relief:
"Dry Eye feels quite sort of scratchy, hot and irritable. It is most uncomfortable when you are either in an air-conditioned space, like an aeroplane, or it's windy or too hot. ... The most important thing is to be able to have some eye drop like VISMED® that you can pop into your eyes to take the sort of stinging, uncomfortable feeling away. You just have to tilt your head back and pop a drop in, so they are very very easy to administer. You don't need anyone to help you. And it's a very convenient little bottle to just pop in your handbag or whatever."
You can watch Hilary on this YouTube clip.

Ophthalmic Squeeze Dispenser

Some interesting facts about the VISMED® MULTI or VISMED® GEL MULTI dispensers from TRB Chemedica: Each bottle contains up to 250 drops of VISMED® (0.18% Sodium Hyaluronate) or VISMED® GEL (0.3% Sodium Hyaluronate), making them an economic alternative to the classic mono-dose vials; The dispensers are safe to use up to 3 months after first opening; No preservatives are included in the solution; instead the containers are kept contaminant-free by an innovative and award-winning bottle design. You can find more information on VISMED® MULTi here: http://www.trbchemedica.co.uk/dry-eyes/vismed-multi ; and on VISMED® GEL MULTI here: http://www.trbchemedica.co.uk/dry-eyes/vismed-gel-multi .

VISMED® MULTI Ophthalmic Squeeze Dispenser

It is a well-established fact that preservatives in eye drops should be avoided as they may worsen the patient's condition. But keeping contamination out of a multi-dose bottle without the use of potentially damaging chemicals is a challenge. At the same time, the ideal container should not be difficult to use, particularly for the elderly or those with weak finger joints. TRB Chemedica have developed an easy-to-use multidose container, the OSD, or ophthalmic squeeze dispenser. This bottle has been designed to keep the VISMED® eye drops free from contaminants for up to 3 months after first use. All this without any preservatives. Read more...>>>

VISMED® GEL MULTI

Now, this same award-winning OSD container is also available for VISMED® GEL. VISMED® GEL has a higher concentration of 0.3% sodium hyaluronate compared to VISMED® (0.18%) and is ideal for more severe symptoms of dry eye and for a longer lasting effect. VISMED® GEL MULTI is indicated in case of symptoms and signs of dry eye and/or ocular surface damage, due to diseases such as superficial keratitis, Sjögren syndrome or primary dry eye syndrome. The VISMED® GEL MULTI bottle is also entirely free from preservatives. Here is some more information>>> . In the United Kingdom, VISMED® MULTI and VISMED® GEL MULTI are available from pharmacies and opticians as an "over the counter" or "OTC" item. However, both products are also available on the NHS and can be prescribed by your GP or Ophthalmic Consultant. For more information, or if you require samples or patient information leaflets for your practice or pharmacy outlet please contact us on info@trbchemedica.co.uk. Kind regards from TRB Chemedica (UK) Ltd

TRB Chemedica (UK) Ltd - info@trbchemedica.co.uk - www.trbchemedica.co.uk

Here in the UK we have had a very nice summer so far this year, plenty of warm weather and sunshine. So here's some timely advice from TRB Chemedica:

 

 

 

Kind regards,

TRB Chemedica

What can you do to keep your eyes healthy?

What can you do yourself to keep your eyes healthy?

Here are some ideas:

• Drink sufficient amounts of water, particularly during times of stress and in old age
  
• Spend plenty of time outside in fresh air
  
• Avoid smoke-filled rooms
  
• Get an air moisturiser when the central heating is on and the air indoors is too dry
  
• Protect your eyes from draughts, wind and too much sun, perhaps by using goggles or sun glasses
• Give your eyes time to rest and blink while working at a computer screen
  
• In the evening, carefully remove all make-up from your eyes
  
• Have your eyes checked regularly to ensure there are no serious underlying causes, and to keep your prescription glasses or contact lenses up-to-date
  
• Regularly clean and change your contact lenses
  
• A healthy diet will be good for your eyes, too

An eye lubricant may also be helpful. Solutions containing sodium hyaluronate can be particularly effective and are well tolerated. Sodium hyaluronate is an important component of healthy eyes. (Click here to read more about sodium hyaluronate).

Ask your GP, optometrist (optician), or ophthalmologist, whether you might suffer from a breakdown of the tear film, and what he might recommend to reduce your discomfort.

Sodium hyaluronate: an important component of a healthy tear film!

New Treatment of Tendon Disorders: Ostenil Tendon

New Product Launch: OSTENIL^® TENDON

For the treatment of pain and reduced mobility
due to tendinopathy

TRB Chemedica (UK) Ltd have today announced that they have taken the successful OSTENIL^® range concept into a new realm: that of the treatment of tendon disorders. OSTENIL^® TENDON is a visco-elastic solution of 2% hyaluronic acid and 0.5% mannitol for peritendinous or intrasheath injection, and is designed to restore tendon function, by reducing pain and improving tendon mobility.

How does OSTENIL® TENDON work? The macro-molecular characteristics of sodium hyaluronate, already proven in their effectiveness in osteo-arthritis, increase the gliding effect and reduce adhesions – the tendon functions again as it is fully lubricated. At the same time sodium hyaluronate blocks the pain receptors and inhibits the movement of inflammatory mediators. This prevents the inflammation from getting any worse.

OSTENIL® TENDON is presented in a pre-filled syringe with 2ml content for single application. It contains 2% fermentative sodium hyaluronate (40mg/2ml), it is completely free from animal derived protein and therefore particularly well tolerated. 10mg Mannitol has been added in order to protect the sodium hyaluronate from premature degradation by free radicals, thus stabilising the solution and reducing the rate of deterioration (Mendoza 2007). OSTENIL^® TENDON is injected around the affected tendon or into the tendon sheath.

Peter Hunt, Managing Director, said, “We are very excited about OSTENIL^® TENDON and feel confident that it will benefit many people with impaired tendon function.”

Shoulders and Elbows

TRB Chemedica (UK) Ltd supported another event this summer related to sports medicine: the BESS Annual Scientific Meeting held in Torquay (15-17 June 2012). BESS stands for British Elbow and Shoulder Society.

The annual meeting in June attracted many delegates from all parts of the UK, to attend lectures and seminars on the techniques and latest developments in shoulder and elbow surgery and other treatment options.

TRB Chemedica (UK) Ltd had a stand at the trade exhibition during the congress, and TRB staff talked to many stand visitors about the benefits of sodium hyaluronate treatments for traumatic and degenerative joint disease in the shoulder and elbow.

OSTENIL^® is the only Sodium Hyaluronate product recommended in the formulary for the world-wide sports event in England this year. This fact, coupled with the experience that many of the delegates already had with OSTENIL^® and OSTENIL^® PLUS, helped to promote the OSTENIL^® range as a valid treatment option.

OSTENIL^® and OSTENIL^® PLUS come in the form of syringes which can be injected into the synovial joint either to prevent or to postpone surgery.

Sodium hyaluronate can also be used post-arthroscopy: VISCOSEAL^® replaces the lost synovial fluid that was washed out during the arthroscopic procedure and helps to promote joint homeostasis.

We look forward to supporting other conferences later on in 2012 where we can talk to sports physicians and medical specialists about the benefits of the OSTENIL^® range, and on how it can help rehabilitate our sporting champions.