Joint pain and arthritis affect nearly one in four adults in the United States. Sometimes it is difficult to find pain relief even after trying different medications and techniques. Joint injections are an excellent solution for those who suffer from chronic joint pain. Let’s take a look at some frequently asked questions about joint injections.
What are joint injections?
Joint injections are a minimally invasive technique to help you with pain management. They contain substances that help your joints heal, reduce inflammation, and diminish the pain associated with injuries and age-related wear and tear. Many medical offices offer a variety of joint injections based on your unique needs to maximize joint functioning and help you live your best life.
What are the symptoms of joint problems?
Joint pain varies from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. It may go away on its own over time or persist long-term without medical intervention.
Some of the common symptoms of joint problems are as follows:
- Sharp pain
- Dull aching
- Swelling
- Stiffness
- Decreased range of motion
- Bruising
- Redness
- Warmth
- Limited mobility
- Crunching or popping sounds
What are the risk factors for joint damage?
There are several common risk factors for why you might be experiencing joint pain. While it might occur for a variety of reasons, some of the most common include
- Arthritis
- Osteoporosis
- Family history
- Age-related wear-and-tear
- Joint inflammation
- Obesity
- Sex (women are more likely to experience joint pain)
- Tendinitis
- Fractures
- Sprains and strains
The cause of joint pain isn’t always clear. Your doctor will seek to find its root cause to offer the most appropriate treatment.
Are joint injections right for me?
To find out if you’re a candidate for joint injections at Greenbrook Medical, your doctor checks your vital signs, examines your joints, and reviews your medical history and symptoms.
Additionally, they may recommend undergoing blood tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, MRIs, CT scans, or other imaging procedures.
Greenbrook Medical providers personalize each joint pain treatment to match your needs. Lifestyle changes, dietary supplements, and surgery are other treatment options for joint problems.
What should I expect during joint injections?
During joint injections, your provider gently injects substances into painful joints at targeted areas.
Here are some of the different shots they might recommend:
Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory and reduce inflammation in your joints, thereby reducing pain.
Precision Medicine Injections
Stem cell and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections enhance your body’s natural ability to generate new cells and heal.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections
Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance that your body produces to keep the joints lubricated. Hyaluronic injections can improve your range of motion.
Joint injection procedures are fast and painless. A common side effect of a steroid injection is to feel tenderness around the injection site. However, this typically is quickly resolved. If you feel that you are experiencing a negative or allergic reaction to the medication, it is important that you contact your doctor immediately.
You may need multiple injections spaced apart over time to ensure the most effective relief from joint pain.
While joint pain is a common problem, you don’t have to live with it. Greenbrook Medical offers joint injections to reduce discomfort and your risk of joint complications. Call our office today to request more information or book an appointment today.
