Joint injections are a therapeutic technique used by medical professionals to manage joint pain and inflammation. As a minimally invasive treatment option, corticosteroids, sometimes combined with a local anesthetic, are injected into the joint space to provide targeted relief. Joint injections are used to treat a variety of conditions and are suitable for a broad range of patients.
Whether you have questions such as, ‘What is the best injection for joint pain?’ or ‘Will steroid injections help arthritis?’ or you’re wondering whether joint injections are suitable for you, keep reading to find out. In this guide, we explain what joint injections are, who they benefit, and what you need to know before proceeding with this common treatment option.
When to Consider Joint Injections
Determining your suitability for corticosteroid injections depends on your symptoms and whether you have a particular condition. If you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, discuss joint injections with a healthcare professional:
- Recurring and/or persistent joint pain and stiffness
- Joint swelling and inflammation
- Difficulty moving a joint through a full range of motion
- Pain that worsens with activity and improves with rest
- Limited relief with oral pain medications
Note: Joint injections may not be appropriate for everyone, particularly those with certain medical conditions or active conditions. Your healthcare professional will discuss risks and suitability with you before proceeding.
What Happens During Treatment
When a form of treatment involves needles, you want to have all the facts for your peace of mind. During your joint injection treatment, you’ll be able to sit or lie in a comfortable position that provides full access to the affected joint.
With imaging guidance, such as fluoroscopy or an ultrasound, an experienced healthcare professional inserts a thin needle into the joint space. When it’s accurately positioned, they inject a corticosteroid medication and, sometimes, a local anesthetic, into the space. This treatment is provided on an outpatient basis, and it takes only a few minutes.
After your treatment, you’ll likely experience immediate pain relief due to the local anesthetic, but the anti-inflammatory effects may take a few days to fully take effect. Most people can resume their regular activities within 1-2 days.
What Does a Joint Injection Do?
While learning what is the best injection for joint pain, it’s helpful to understand what exactly a joint injection does. A steroid injection with corticosteroids reduces pain and inflammation in the area surrounding where the thin needle is injected. It does this by calming your immune system’s response in that area.
Which Conditions Can Joint Injections Help With?
When you’ve been experiencing significant pain and discomfort associated with a specific condition, it’s only natural to question whether joint injections will be the relief you seek.
Although everyone’s situation is different, healthcare professionals often recommend corticosteroid joint injections for arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and gout. It may also be suitable for a range of inflammatory conditions, including hip or shoulder bursitis, tendonitis, and tendon sheath inflammation.
If you have spinal pain, such as a ruptured disc, sciatica, or spinal stenosis, your healthcare provider may recommend joint injections for these conditions, too, along with plantar fasciitis, frozen shoulder, and trigger finger.
Commonly injected areas include:
- Shoulder
- Knee
- Hip
- Hand
- Wrist
- Spine
Potential Benefits of Joint Injections
When you’re pondering, ‘Will steroid injections help arthritis?’ you’ll certainly want to know what the potential benefits of joint injections are. While they are not a permanent cure and are often combined with physical therapy, many people experience the following benefits:
- Fast pain relief
- Reduced inflammation
- Improved function and mobility
- Targeted treatment
- Non-surgical form of pain relief
- A diagnostic tool to confirm that a joint or structure is the source of pain
- Complementary to rehabilitation
How Long Does Relief Last?
Joint injections for pain aren’t permanent. However, they are designed to last in the long term. While everyone’s body is different, injections typically last between a few weeks and a few months. If your inflammation is due to an injury, your injection should last long enough for your body to heal.
Questions to Ask Before Receiving a Joint Injection for Pain
You deserve to make well-informed decisions about your health. If you’re considering joint injections to assist with pain and inflammation, ask your local healthcare professional the following questions:
- What is the best injection for joint pain?
- Will steroid injections help arthritis?
- What type of injection is best for my condition?
- How long should I expect relief to last?
- How often can I receive joint injections?
- What are the risks associated with joint injections in my case?
- What should I do before and after the injection?
Learn More About Joint Injections at Eclipse Clinic in Waxahachie, TX
If you’re currently experiencing pain and inflammation and want to explore treatment options, contact Eclipse Clinic today. Our pain management specialists and physical therapists can assess your condition and determine if joint injections are right for you.