What is Crespine Gel Plus?
Crespine Gel Plus is a single-use, intraarticular injection that can be used to help treat symptoms of osteoarthritis. As people get older, cartilage and the fluid within our joints, known as synovial fluid, becomes scarcer. This has an adverse effect on the joints and can cause issues such as pain and reduce mobility because there is less lubrication, leading to more friction between the bones. Crespine Gel Plus is formulated for injection into the knee and hip, and any other joints that are affected by osteoarthritis. Officially, Crespine Gel Plus is indicated as a replacement for synovial fluid in human joints and as a viscoelastic supplement, which means it is a supplement that is both viscous and elastic. Doctors will use Crespine Gel Plus to help patients who experience symptoms of osteoarthritis such as poor joint function and pain. It can be used when other treatments such as supplements or traditional drugs are not effective, and can help delay the need for knee or hip replacements.
Gel composition
Crespine Gel Plus is made of a combination of crosslinked and non-crosslinked sodium hyaluronate of non-animal origin. Sodium hyaluronate is the salt form of hyaluronic acid, which is a substance native to the human body that is found primarily in the skin and connective tissue. Hyaluronic acid is incredibly hydrating and is able to hold onto 1,000 times its own weight in moisture; therefore, it helps provide lubrication within joints. Sodium hyaluronate has a much smaller molecular weight than hyaluronic acid, which makes it more penetrative. Though sodium hyaluronate is a natural substance, the sodium hyaluronate in Crespine Gel Plus is of non-animal origin, which means it is created in a lab and is very pure.
Ingredients discussed
- Sodium hyaluronate 1mg: Sodium hyaluronate has a very similar composition as the fluid that surrounds the joints in our bodies. Because of this, and its incredible hydrating abilities, it is very effective at reducing pain and stiffness in joints such as the knee and hips. It is able to both lubricate the joint and absorb the shock caused by the repetitive and frequent movement involved in everyday life. It is a naturally occurring substance, which means it is metabolized by the body after injection, making it a temporary treatment ingredient.
- Sodium hyaluronate, cross-linked 14mg: Sodium hyaluronate in its natural form is non-crosslinked, and while it is still great for adding lubrication, it is quite flexible and does not stay put as well as crosslinked sodium hyaluronate. Crosslinked sodium hyaluronate also breaks down easier. Scientists are able to make sodium hyaluronate by crosslinking the substance, which essentially means that the molecules are linked together. This process makes the gel firmer and more durable, making it stay put in the injection are more easily. Crosslinking also makes the sodium hyaluronate more water absorbent and longer lasting.
- Prilocaine hydrochloride 3mg: Prilocaine hydrochloride is chemically related to another popular anesthetic, lidocaine. Prilocaine hydrochloride is including in the formulation of Crespine Gel Plus to provide a numbing effect in the area of injection, making the treatment procedure much more comfortable for the patient.
Dosage
Recommended dose
Crespine Gel Plus comes in a single-use, 2ml syringe that should not be disposed of after use. The dosage required during one treatment will depend on your symptoms and the severity of your osteoarthritis. It is important to discuss your medical history with your physician, including allergies, existing health conditions, and a current list of medications and supplements you are taking, including products such as Belotero, so that they can determine the proper dosage.
Missing a dose
Due to the ingredients in Crespine Gel Plus being biodegradable, patients will inevitably have to return for follow up treatments once the effects wear off due to the body’s metabolic rate. If you have missed any scheduled follow up treatment or doses, reschedule an appointment as early as possible. If it is close enough to your following treatment date when you realize you’ve missed any doses, then the best option would be to simply wait for the following treatment appointment.
Overdosing
The results of treatment should last from six to twelve months, so treatments should only occur once or twice a year. Be sure to tell your physician the last time you received sodium hyaluronate injections to ensure treatments do not occur too closely together.
