Dr Jonathan King has an interest in management of tendinopathies and non-surgical treatment of osteoarthritis.Management may include some of the following options:
We are an accredited Diagnostic Imaging Service for ultrasound. This modality can assist with diagnosing tendon or joint problems.
Injection therapy
There are a number of options, depending on the pathology of the affected tendon or joint.
Corticosteroids
This may be injected to inflamed joints such as the knee or ankle. Inflammation can manifest as
swelling, redness or pain and can limit mobility. This may be present in certain arthritic conditions
such as gouty arthritis or inflamed osteoarthritis.
Bursae may also become inflamed and may present as shoulder, hip, knee or elbow pain.
Examination and appropriate investigations may diagnose bursitis that can be treated with corticosteroid injection.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Platelet rich plasma was first used in oral surgery, with reports dating from 1999. There have been
subsequent reports of use in joints, in conjunction with surgery, and with tendons.
Autologous platelet rich plasma injections have the potential to facilitate healing of injured or
degenerative tendons. Ultrasound guided injection of specially prepared platelets aims to deliver
growth factors to the affected tissue. The growth factors may promote healing that otherwise may
not occur in the unhealthy tissue.
Platelet rich plasma has also been found to reduce pain in joints affected by osteoarthritis, and PRP
has been used to delay the need for joint replacement surgery.
More information can be found at:
http://www.prpinjection.com.au/
http://www.regenkit.com/site/
Hyaluronic Acid
This is a clear gel-like substance that is injected into knee joints that are affected by osteoarthritis to
provide pain relief by improving cushioning and shock absorption within the joint.
In Australia there are three main suppliers of hyaluronic acid. The injections can be administered every 6-12 months if necessary.
2. Durolane is distributed by BIOVENTUS in Australia and is not produced from animal sources.
See: https://www.durolane.com/aus/selection/
3. Monovisc is a newer hyaluronic acid product and is distributed by surgical specialties in Australia.
See: www.anikatherapeutics.com/products/orthobiologics/monovisc/
Stem Cells
It has been discovered that our bodies have the capacity to regenerate tissue. However this may not occur naturally and use of adipose or bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells may facilitate regeneration of joint cartilage. The procedure offers hope for delaying and possibly avoiding joint replacement surgery.
Research is evolving with stem cell use for regenerative purposes.
Dr King can refer you to medical practitioners who perform stem cell injection treatments.
Prolotherapy
This technique involves injection of a glucose solution into ligaments to cause proliferation of collagen that aims to stiffen the structure. This can be used in certain joints that are unstable, such as the sacro-iliac, and superior tibio-fibular joints. See: http://www.amta.com.au/page/prolotherapy.html
- Exercises may include strengthening and stretching of the affected muscles and tendons.
- Options to minimise pain, including application of heat, massage, acupuncture or medication.
- Injection therapy.
- Diagnostic ultrasound.
We are an accredited Diagnostic Imaging Service for ultrasound. This modality can assist with diagnosing tendon or joint problems.
Injection therapy
There are a number of options, depending on the pathology of the affected tendon or joint.
Corticosteroids
This may be injected to inflamed joints such as the knee or ankle. Inflammation can manifest as
swelling, redness or pain and can limit mobility. This may be present in certain arthritic conditions
such as gouty arthritis or inflamed osteoarthritis.
Bursae may also become inflamed and may present as shoulder, hip, knee or elbow pain.
Examination and appropriate investigations may diagnose bursitis that can be treated with corticosteroid injection.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Platelet rich plasma was first used in oral surgery, with reports dating from 1999. There have been
subsequent reports of use in joints, in conjunction with surgery, and with tendons.
Autologous platelet rich plasma injections have the potential to facilitate healing of injured or
degenerative tendons. Ultrasound guided injection of specially prepared platelets aims to deliver
growth factors to the affected tissue. The growth factors may promote healing that otherwise may
not occur in the unhealthy tissue.
Platelet rich plasma has also been found to reduce pain in joints affected by osteoarthritis, and PRP
has been used to delay the need for joint replacement surgery.
More information can be found at:
http://www.prpinjection.com.au/
http://www.regenkit.com/site/
Hyaluronic Acid
This is a clear gel-like substance that is injected into knee joints that are affected by osteoarthritis to
provide pain relief by improving cushioning and shock absorption within the joint.
In Australia there are three main suppliers of hyaluronic acid. The injections can be administered every 6-12 months if necessary.
- Synvisc One is one injection that may provide months of pain relief from knees with osteoarthritis.
2. Durolane is distributed by BIOVENTUS in Australia and is not produced from animal sources.
See: https://www.durolane.com/aus/selection/
3. Monovisc is a newer hyaluronic acid product and is distributed by surgical specialties in Australia.
See: www.anikatherapeutics.com/products/orthobiologics/monovisc/
Stem Cells
It has been discovered that our bodies have the capacity to regenerate tissue. However this may not occur naturally and use of adipose or bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells may facilitate regeneration of joint cartilage. The procedure offers hope for delaying and possibly avoiding joint replacement surgery.
Research is evolving with stem cell use for regenerative purposes.
Dr King can refer you to medical practitioners who perform stem cell injection treatments.
Prolotherapy
This technique involves injection of a glucose solution into ligaments to cause proliferation of collagen that aims to stiffen the structure. This can be used in certain joints that are unstable, such as the sacro-iliac, and superior tibio-fibular joints. See: http://www.amta.com.au/page/prolotherapy.html