Joint injections are a relatively simple procedure, using a natural irritant injected into the body's soft tissues to stimulate the body to build new tissue to repair and strengthen the joints and ligaments to reduce pain.
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Find out if our treatments are right for you. Discuss your symptoms and goals with a medical professional.
Initial intake and health screening may include a physical examination, imaging, and lab work to assess your health status.
Start your personalized treatment plan and start feeling better! Results will vary based on treatment regimen.
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No procedure is without any side effects, but those from joint injections are minimal. Common side effects include:
- Pain at the injection site.
- Bruising/Swelling
- Possible Allergic Reactions
- Infection
Serious side effects are rare and depend on the injection site, but can include:
- Spinal Headache
- Spinal Disc Injury
- Nerve Damage
When other treatments, such as physical therapy or medication, have not worked, joint injections can be an effective treatment for many people.
Joint injections involve the injection of solution or irritants into affected areas. The injections stimulate the body's natural healing process to reduce pain, restore function, increase mobility, to repair and strengthen joints and ligaments.
No one looks forward to getting a shot, but joint injections are minimally invasive and not generally considered painful.
Before administering injections, lidocaine will numb the area to minimize discomfort before injection. Most people report only mild discomfort during and immediately after the procedure, including a sensation of heaviness in the affected area(s).
After the injection, you may feel cramping or soreness in the treated area. This is normal and should resolve within 3 to 5 days. Excessive movement during the initial healing window is not recommended.
If your pain does not improve or you experience severe side effects, don't hesitate to contact your doctor.
First, a doctor will conduct a health screening to assess appropriate treatment options. Then, your doctor will physically examine the affected areas before injection therapy begins. They will also review X-rays and imaging results to ensure they can reach the injury or pain site via injection.
Treatments for a single area can vary between 5 to 20 different injection sites.
Preparing for Joint Injections
Once approved for treatment, you will need to stop taking non-inflammatory painkillers at least 48 hours before each session.
A good, protein-heavy meal before your appointment is also a good idea.
How are Joint Injections Administered?
When administering joint injections, a doctor will position you for optimal injection access and then prepare the skin using lidocaine to numb the area to minimize discomfort.
Once the skin is ready, the doctor will administer several injections of an irritant solution in and around the pain site. The needle is long and thin, but patients tend to say the pain is less than a regular vaccine.
Recovery after Having Joint Injections
Following injections, you may feel fluid and heaviness around the treated areas. In addition, you may feel cramping or soreness in the treated area, which is normal and should resolve within 3 to 5 days. Bruising, stiffness, and swelling may occur but should not be severe. Excessive movement during the initial healing window is not recommended.
Most patients return to regular activity the next day. The areas treated will repair themselves over the next 2 to 3 weeks.
If you experience a fever or the pain continues to get worse, call your doctor right away.
Unfortunately, most insurance companies do not cover joint injections as it is not FDA approved. However, some will, so it's important to contact your insurance company directly.
Yes, joint injections are an effective treatment for chronic low back pain in most people when used at one-week intervals.
