What are Joint Injections?

At Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center, needles are nothing to be scared of. A quick injection could help eliminate your chronic and life altering pain. The right injections can offer relief from nerve, joint, muscle, and spinal pain in just hours. This is how joint injections work and could help you live a pain-free life!

What are Anti-Inflammatory Joint Injections?

Anesthetic shots relieve nerves that keep sending out signals of pain due to compression or joints that begin to ache as we get older or suffer an injury. Steroid injections, also known as corticosteroid and anti-inflammatory injections, are used to treat a number of different conditions. These medications relieve inflammation, and reduce swelling in heat in addition to pain. The needle goes directly into the hurt joint, or the area around the nerve, so the medicine goes exactly where it’s needed. Additionally, soft tissue can also be treated with this type of therapy. 

Do Injections Work By Themselves? 

While injections work alone, they are usually used in conjunction with an overall treatment plan, especially in those with arthritis. The American College of Rheumatology explains that sometimes joint fluid is removed before the steroid is injected. From there, the steroid is injected into the joint. The fluid that was removed can be examined to check for cell counts, crystal analysis, and cultures to determine if an infection is present inside the joint. Drainage by itself can also relieve pain and increase mobility.  

What Conditions Do Injections Help? 

Along with arthritis pain, injections can help a variety of conditions and ailments. Other pain and conditions that can be treated with this mode of therapy are:

• Back pain, neck pain, and other forms of chronic pain
• Recurring headaches or migraines
• Sciatica and other types of inflammation that affect the hip
• Arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis 
• Pinched nerve
• Knee pain due to injuries, age, or joint issues
• Shoulder inflammation and limited range of movement in the elbow or wrist 

Benefits of Injections 

If you’re determined to be a good candidate for joint injections, you will probably realize they come with a number of benefits. The benefits of these injections can include: 

• Localized pain relief – we can solve irritation in just one knee without affecting the rest of your body. The medication goes to the exact spot of your pain, making it as efficient as possible. 
• Rapid relief – the pain could start fading before you even leave the office, but if not don’t worry. Sometimes the relief comes a day or two later. 
• Long lasting results – one injection could last a couple of months before you need another. 
• Few side effects – unlike with surgery, you will not have to miss work for weeks with injections. 
• Restored range of motion – when the injection reduces inflammation, you could find that you move more freely. 
• Dependability – for many patients whose pain didn’t respond to other painkillers, these injections usually work. 
• Quick – you’ll be in and out of the office in no time at all. 
• Stop arthritis progression — adding a replacement substance to a knee joint can help decrease further deterioration caused by arthritis.

With all these benefits, why wouldn’t you want to try joint injections for your pain? 

Does it Cure the Cause of the Pain?

While anti-inflammatory  injections are great temporary treatments for pain, they cannot resolve the originating cause of the problem. At  Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center we use these techniques to quickly help patients feel better. It is still important, however, to follow up with further diagnostics and other complementary treatments. Investing in anti-inflammatory reduction before chiropractic care or spinal adjustments will only make them more effective in the long run. With the right treatments, you could discover that you are free of swelling and pain when the injections wear off and the other treatments have resolved the issue. 

Steroid shots aren’t permanent. The results last for a couple of months, however, when used with other treatments, like spinal adjustments, they could remain effective for even longer. When you suffer from pain, it’s important to find relief, but it’s also crucial to find the exact cause of your pain. 

Call Texas Spine and Sports Therapy Center Today 

If you are feeling any pain, like neck pain, headaches, or pain from a pinched nerve, contact our team today. Whether we think you’ll respond better to injections or another therapy, we have a diverse range of specialists here that can help you with your condition. Request an appointment with our team of skilled medical professionals today.