Crespine gel is an orthopedic injection prescribed for the treatment of knee pain caused by osteoarthritis. Administered via intraarticular injection, it helps to cushion and lubricate the joint, thereby relieving knee pain. Crespine gel is supplied in a sterile prefilled syringe and comes with four traceability labels and a product insert. Traceability labels can be used as a tool to keep track of what was injected. Crespine gel is a product of BioPolymer, a medical technology company based in Germany.
Crespine is formulated with 14mg/ml of cross-linked hyaluronic acid and 1mg/ml non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid as its active ingredients. Crespine does not contain a local anesthetic. The Plus formulation, on the other hand, contains an additional 3mg/ml of prilocaine. Made of naturally occurring ingredients, Crespine Gel does not contain any medications in its formulation, making it perfect for osteoarthritis patients who prefer a drug-free alternative. It is especially useful for patients who are unresponsive to conventional treatments such as physical therapy or oral analgesics.
The hyaluronic acid in the injection is formulated as the salt form (sodium hyaluronate). Derived from a non-animal source, there is a lower risk of immunogenic reaction. Knee pain in osteoarthrosis is typically caused by the loss of synovial fluid. Hyaluronic acid effectively reduces the sensation of pain by supplementing the degraded synovial fluid. Having similar viscoelasticity and consistency, Crespine mimics the actions of the natural synovial fluid, thereby improving joint efficiency. Hyaluronic acid acts on the surface of the cartilage to form a protective layer. Subsequently, this helps to cushion and lubricate the joint. At the same time, hyaluronic acid absorbs shock and eliminates friction in the joint. As a result, knee stiffness is reduced. In the long term, Crespine Gel prevents the progression of osteoarthritis, eliminating the need for joint replacement surgeries.
Crespine Gel is formulated with potent ingredients that have been tested for safety. Therefore, patients are not likely to experience any major side effects (apart from mild swelling, joint stiffness, and transient redness, all of which are self-limiting in nature). Thanks to the cross-linked hyaluronic acid, Crespine Gel is able to deliver pain-relieving results that last. In most cases, Crespine Gel can last for about 6 to 8 months (although individual results may vary). For best results, patients are advised to repeat the treatment about every 8 months. To maintain the potency of the ingredient, it is recommended to keep Crespine Gel orthopedic injections at a temperature between 2 and 25°C.
Patients who are pain-sensitive may consider Crespine Gel Plus, a similar formulation infused with prilocaine. Through the induction of local analgesia, prilocaine helps decrease injected-related discomfort and pain, making the injection process more comfortable.
Each syringe is prefilled with 2ml of injectable gel. Each treatment only requires one 2ml injection, which usually takes 10–20 minutes to complete. It takes five to seven days to see the results of Crespine Gel. Therefore, patient are not likely to see the benefits immediately after treatment. To ensure patient safety, Crespine Gel should only be administered by certified medical professionals. Before using Crespine, sterilize the treatment area thoroughly. Then, remove the injection cap from the syringe and attach a needle to it. Crespine should be injected intraarticularly into the synovial cavity of the joint. After injection, the used needles and syringes should be safely disposed of.
As a general rule, doctors should check the expiry date printed on the box before using Crespine. Using an expired injectable may result in undesirable reactions.
Osteoarthritis is a degenerative, inflammatory disease that affects the joints. It is commonly characterized by abnormal growths (medically known as bone spurs or osteophytes). Being progressive in nature, osteoarthritis is most likely to affect middle-aged patients. It occurs when the articular cartilage starts to break down, exposing the bones. Over time, the friction between the bones will lead to significant joint damage, resulting in symptoms such as stiffness, swelling, and pain. In addition to these symptoms, patients often experience reduced joint movement. The symptoms may come and go at the early stage of osteoarthrosis, and worsen over time. Conventionally, oral pain killers and physical therapy are used to treat osteoarthritis. Crespine Gel serves as an alternative treatment for patients who respond inadequately to these treatment modalities. If poorly managed, patients may need to resort to joint replacement surgeries.