Glamourous indie events and meetings for me...

...it's all I need. (yes I've ripped the Killers off)

We're in the middle of a very enjoyable and busy event period.

We've missed some cracking events as well as attended a good few, but you can't do it all. It feels like the face-to-face education and CPD events scene has never been so vibrant. The ones we have attended have been great and for me personally, I've really enjoyed re-engaging with the MSK and Ortho education space, following a couple of years focussed on other areas. I'm sure in 2025, we'll be able to attend even more.

Last week was the excellent Wexham Park Cruciate meeting where it was great to catch up with many joint preservation surgeons. Before that, we attended the Power Up to Play event which was extremely interesting and an honour to be part of, a great initiative. Both were Clockwork Medical events. There was the Rheumatology Ultrasound training event by Dr Qasim Akram FRCP(London)(Rheum) which was a new area for me, I really enjoyed it, superb agenda. Next up we will be at Therapy Expo , with some smaller but no lesser events around and about that as well.

I had loads of great questions and learned a lot from the discussion at the stand.

Cingal, Monovisc, and Orthovisc are known worldwide as the leading Hyaluronic Acid products for OA and tendinopathy. Here are a selection of commonly asked questions and the answers I garbled in response;

Q - Is Monovisc the same as Ostenil?

A - Nope, there are important differences. Monovisc delivers 88mg of ultra-pure HA, versus 40mg in Ostenil. It comes in a 4ml dose, so it is ideal for the larger joints, especially knee and hip which can take more volume. Monovisc is a leader worldwide with over 3,000,000 injections administered. It has the lowest reported adverse events, the highest responder index and the most effective WOMAC pain scores.

Q - Is it more expensive than the others available?

A - It can be, but it's probably fair to say we're in the middle with Monovisc. However, we are certain we offer the greatest value when you consider the amount of HA delivered per ￡ and the quality of evidence that comes with it.

Q - Is mixing HA and steroid the same as Cingal? (this question is often asked with a kind of shrug)

A - No, it is very different. The issue with steroids and HA, when administered as two separate components, is they don't mix well. The steroid in the joint will not disperse evenly; it can pool or concentrate in a particular area of the joint. It's repelled like oil and water, so if you consider how that can look inside the joint it isn't ideal. Cingal is formulated with micronised steroids and HA; they don't separate. The steroid is slower release and is kinder to the joint due to steroid type, and only 18mg is needed for a potent product. Patients do not report systemic effects as there isn't a rush of absorption through the chondral surface while 24-hour pain relief is expected.

Further note: Level 1 data exists for Cingal, which has some compelling scores for responder rates and WOMAC and very low adverse events, it also has scientific data showing its effectiveness on inflammatory cytokines and its protection of chondrocytes. A mix does not have this data.

Q - Are our products available in the NHS?

A - Like all HA products, we are not recommended by NICE, however, we do support a number of NHS practices and we're always ready to help in that discussion. We have. great body of evidence which supports this.

Q - Do you have information about Cingal and Monovis for our website?

A - Yes! we have a full marketing suite of options to help you promote your private practice, from patient info booklets, posters and of course, copy that you use for your website. We also work with Helios Digital , a specialist healthcare website design and build company, that can build you a shiny new website if you need one. The key to what we offer you for information is providing correct statements with references to the study from which the statement or data point is derived.

Q - Why have I not heard of your products?

A - Despite being market leaders worldwide, the UK hasn't always been covered so well from a sales perspective. Midway through 2023 Eos active took over the management of the product line and we're delighted that visibility and usage are steadily increasing month by month. Monovisc is the market leader by some way in the US.

Q - Are all HA's just the same?

A - All HA's, from what I see, are different. You have some weird and wonderful options coming out now, even with Chondroitin in them... but these lack serious level 1 data and manufacturing experience. An analogy I used with one poor visitor to the stand was - Has anyone been able to catch up to Coca-Cola or Pepsi? Nope. Cingal, Monovisc, and Orthovisc for worldwide use and the experience of manufacturing can be compared to these giants. Sure Panda cola will quench your thirst and it was always cheaper, but it's not the real thing. Crosslinking, molecular weight, concentration, additives, process of manufacturer... all things that can have an impact. Anika is simply the world leader in HA R&D and manufacturing. Their heritage runs deep with HA and they were among the pioneers of HA treatments for OA, remaining so with products like Cingal and also surgically with Hyalofast for cartilage repair.

I think that's probably enough...

But if you have any questions please just get in touch. Hyaluronic Acid for to long has been pushed down into the commodity bracket. There has been a race to the bottom but it is so much more than a bargain bucket purchase. Understanding why and understanding the options is a great conversation to help engage and motivate your patients.

Visit our website for more info and see you at an event soon!

eosactive.co.uk

Cheers, Jim