Joint pain, also called arthralgia, can be a debilitating, frustrating condition. It can develop in any joint in the body, though the knees, hips, and shoulders are the most at risk because of a large amount of stress they handle on a daily basis. Degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis and sports injuries are some of the most common causes of joint pain. Other causes include:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Degenerative disc disease
- Bursitis
- Gout
- Lupus
For some people, joint pain goes away on its own over the course of several weeks. Treatments such as over-the-counter medication, stretching, and physical therapy are usually successful at mitigating joint stiffness and pain. However, other people experience chronic joint pain that persists for months or years. They may experience joints that are swollen, tender, stiff, or weak. Many people with chronic osteoarthritis also suffer from reduced range of motion in the joint. For these individuals, joint pain injections may be the right treatment choice.
How Injections for Joint Pain Work
Joint pain injections offer a more targeted approach to pain that does not respond to more conservative treatments. However, many people with joint pain may not be ready for major surgery such as joint replacement. Most injections can be performed right in your doctor’s office and you can go home after the procedure.
- The doctor will use a needle to inject the joint with medication. To ensure accuracy, X-ray guidance is used to get the needle to the precise location of joint pain.
- A local anesthetic such as lidocaine is injected, along with a slow-release steroid (usually cortisone).
- The local anesthetic will numb the pain for several hours, but the steroid will take three to five days to take effect.
- Once the steroid reduces inflammation, pain relief may last for several weeks or months.
Find Injections for Joint Pain in Texas and Florida
“Joint pain” is an extremely broad term, and the condition affects everyone differently. At Physician Partners of America, we believe in listening to what you have to say about your pain and the treatments you’ve tried in the past so that we can thoroughly understand your condition and provide you with a customized treatment plan. No two people are alike, so why should pain relief plans be alike? We offer a range of pain relief therapies for osteoarthritis and sports injuries including injections for joint pain.
