Joint Injection
A joint injection contains cortisone, a steroid that helps reduce muscle pain and joint inflammation. The injection may be administered in joints that have been affected by degenerative diseases like arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Joint injections may also be used for aspiration, a technique that withdraws excess fluid from affected joints.
Learn about your treatment options
The first step in treating your pain is to get an accurate diagnosis of the cause of your symptoms. Based on your diagnosis, you and your doctor can determine your best treatment options. At The Pain Center, we offer traditional and state-of-the-art therapies to treat your pain and help get you back to your normal activities.
What is Joint Injection?
Joint injections are steroid injections which include cortisone, a steroid that helps reduce muscle pain and joint inflammation.
This steroid injection may be administered in joints that have been affected by degenerative diseases, including:
- Arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Osteoarthritis
Joint injections may also be used for aspiration, a technique that withdraws excess fluid from affected joints.
What Types of Pain Does Joint Injection Treat?
Joint pain caused by inflammation.
Expectations and Recovery
Patients are typically able to function as normal immediately after the procedure is completed. Someone else will have to drive you home as a safety precaution.
You may experience soreness around the injection site, but you will likely be able to return to full activity within 24 hours.
Pain relief may last several days to several months. The procedure can be repeated if necessary.
If the treatment didn’t relieve pain, other options are available.
What are Typical Causes of Joint Pain?
Common conditions that cause joint pain include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Infections
- Fibromyalgia
- Gout
- Hypothyroidism
- Dislocation, broken bones, strains, sprains, or other injuries or trauma
- Lupus or other autoimmune disorders (e.g. rheumatoid arthritis)
- Diseases such as Lyme disease
- Bursitis
- Some sexually transmitted diseases including chlamydia and gonorrhea
Other factors that may worsen joint pain or trigger an attack of gout include diet, alcohol use, dehydration, and certain medications.
What are Common Symptoms of Joint Pain?
If you notice your joint pain is accompanied by swelling, redness, or warmth, see your doctor and be sure to communicate these symptoms with them.
It is urgent you see your doctor if you notice any joint deformity, cannot use your joint or are experiencing sudden or intense pain with or without swelling.
Other symptoms of joint pain include:
- Joint pain, stiffness, and weakness
- Redness, tenderness, and swelling of the joint
- Reduced range of motion in the affected joint
- Change in how you walk or move due to pain (limping)
- Locking up of joint
- Muscle cramps
Other Conservative Treatments for Joint Pain
Other treatments for relieving long term joint pain include:
- Neuromodulation
- Neuromodulation treatments use low-voltage electrical pulses to block pain signals sent to your brain.
- Joint rest
- Applying cold packs to the joint
- Heating pads or warm baths and showers
- A brace or wrap for compressing the joint, as well as protecting the joint area
- Elevation of the joint above heart-level
Get the care you need within 24 hours*
We know when you’re looking for relief for your chronic pain, you can’t wait any longer than you already have. This is why we can schedule you with an appointment within 24 hours at most of our pain centers across the Valley, so you can start your journey to life-long pain relief as soon as tomorrow.