Frequently asked questions

In osteoarthritis of the knee, bad proteins (inflammatory cytokines) are in higher concentration than good proteins (anti-inflammatory cytokines). The imbalance of proteins leads to inflammation and the gradual break down of cartilage in the knee. nSTRIDE APS contains concentrated anti-inflammatory proteins, which once injected into the knee cartilage it inhibits the activity of inflammatory proteins in the osteoarthritic knee. As a result, this reduces inflammation and slows down or halts the natural deterioration of the knee cartilage.nSTRIDE is also rich in anabolic proteins, which stimulate the production of cartilage. By reducing inflammation and stimulating repair of the damaged cartilage tissue, it helps slow down or reverse the progression of osteoarthritis. Although nSTRIDE was initially indicated for treating knee osteoarthritis only, it is currently being reviewed and is due to be approved to treat osteoarthritis in other joints.

If you are motivated to find out more about yourself and work towards solving your issues, this type of counselling may be good for you. Especially if you like the freedom to talk about your problems in a supportive and facilitative environment.Our service is built on trust and honesty and at our initial assessment call, we will discuss your challenges. We will let you know if we think you will or won’t benefit from using our counselling service.

It’s commonly used to treat several issues which include relationship problems, depression, anxiety, bereavement, addictions, sexuality, anger and transitions in life.

If you are over 18 years old, with a minimum BMI of 27 and a genuine desire and willingness to commit to achieving long-term successful weight-loss, then the Gastric Balloon Weight Loss Programme at Prime Health is suitable for you.

An injection is given to reduce inflammation and pain within a joint. They’re frequently recommended for people with rheumatoid arthritis and other types of inflammatory arthritis including gout and pseudo gout. They may also be recommended for osteoarthritis if your joints are very painful or if you need pain relief in addition to your normal medicationUltrasound is a type of imaging that uses high-frequency sound waves. The Ultrasound probe is a little like a radar device that detects the sound waves that are bounced back from different structures in the body, producing an image on a monitor. An ultrasound scan can detect needles inserted into the body and therefore can be used target your injection and to exactly the right spot.An injection into a joint is called an intra-articular injection, and it’s made up of a corticosteroid combined with a local anaesthetic to reduce your discomfort. It can be directed into or around the joint to reduce swelling (inflammation), stiffness and pain.If you have pain or inflammation near an affected joint, you’ll probably be given an injection into this tender area rather than the joint. This is called a periarticular or soft tissue injection.An injection directly into a muscle is called an intramuscular (IM) injection.You may be interested in...Find out more about how to manage joint pain and the treatment options available in our blog article "A guide to managing joint pain and pain management techniques".

The gastric balloon weight-loss programme has been designed to help you kick start your weight loss journey by helping you feel full and importantly, encouraging the development of new eating habits.The insertion of the gastric balloon is a simple and very straightforward process. It is swallowed during a brief outpatient visit to one of our centres. No surgery or anaesthesia is required.You are supported throughout your weight-loss journey by a dedicated and specialist healthcare team that will help you to make long term changes to your health and lifestyle

An MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan is a painless procedure. It uses radio frequency waves and strong magnetic fields to create a series of detailed pictures showing ‘slices’ of the body. These images allow doctors to examine almost any area of your body, as well as monitor the effectiveness of previous therapies. An MRI scan can diagnose problems that can’t be assessed satisfactorily with other imaging methods such as x-ray, ultrasound, or CT (computed tomography) scanning.

The MRI scan itself usually takes around 20-30 minutes and your appointment from start to finish is likely to be about 45 minutes.Private appointments are available daily at our dedicated diagnostic centres. If you are in need of an MRI scan, book an appointment today - click here.

You don’t usually need to prepare for a routine MRI scan at Prime Health. Unless you’ve been told otherwise, you can eat and drink normally before and afterwards.

There is free, easy access parking available on site.