Do you know relief from joint pain is not limited to pills, exercise or surgery? Yes, that’s true! As per the severity of the discomfort, injections are promising solutions to settle down the pain and get moving once again.
Physiatrist Michael Schaefer, MD, explains that these injections lessen the pain and inflammation in the joints. Done right, they reduce the symptoms for several months and the patient feels free from the shackles of uneasiness and those pinching sensations.
In the words of sports and medical Orthopedist Jason Genin, DO, “There are several injectable options to help treat knee pain”. He further says that these injections range from corticosteroids to orthobiologic injections.
Because every individual has different extremity of joint issues, not every injection works for them. Ample time is invested to identify and understand the problem to create a plan that gels with the knee care journey.
How Joint Injections Work?
These injectables are a fusion of local anesthetic and a corticosteroid. The former works by providing early relief, while steroid shows action on controlling inflammation and decreasing swelling for long-term.
It makes sense to know that local anesthetic creates numbness and the extent to which one feels better helps. This in turn helps to conclude or rule out the joint as the reason behind the condition.
Fluoroscopy is used at times to place the needle properly and ensure medication is delivered to the joint area.
The Fantastic Four
No, not that 2015 hit superhero movie, but the four best injections known to alleviate the pain. These powerful relievers are:
1.Corticosteroid injections
2.Hyaluronic acid injections
3.Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections
4.Placental tissue matrix (PTM) injections
Let’s jump in for their detailed knowledge.
1. Corticosteroid injections
Working as the first line of defense, these can be trusted to treat osteoarthritis symptoms and joint pain of knees, shoulders & hips. Lowering inflammatory cell activity, their effect lasts until two to three months.
Risk factor: A rare chance of infection — as rare as 1 in 1,000.
Cost: Good news first! Almost all major insurances cover the $100 cost of these injections.
2. Hyaluronic acid injections
Also known as HA injections or gel injections, they are suggested when corticosteroid injections fail to fix the pain. However, these are meant for knee only.
Hyaluronic acid injection is given when there are no signs of inflammation. Osteoarthritis makes the joint fluid watery and this particular aid restores natural properties of the fluid; thus, working as both a lubricant and a shock absorber.
Single treatment comprises of one and three injections and offers relief for four to five months. Catch here is that one may feel relieved up to one year too.
Risk factor: 1 in 100 possibility of an inflammatory reaction.
Cost: HA injections are expensive, as they range from $300 to $750 per injection. Good part, most insurance companies cover the cost.
3. Platelet-rich plasma injections
PRP injections treat osteoarthritis joint pain. Distinguishing part with them is that patient’s own blood and platelets are used for healing.
Platelets have proteins and certain growth factors that work to heal in soft tissues. Dr. Schaefer says that these injections modify the immune response; hence, reduce inflammation.
Risk factor: Low risk of pain and infection at the site of injection.
Cost: $500 and $1,000 per injection out-of-pocket. Sad part, insurance companies don’t cover the expense.
4. Placental tissue matrix injections
PTM injections decrease the pain impressively. These belong to placental tissue which is acquired after a healthy mother delivers a healthy baby.
According to Dr. Genin, there’s huge number of growth factors in the tissue that have active role in healing.
Risk factor: Extremely low chances of pain and infection at the injection site.
Cost: Around $1,800 per injection out-of-pocket. Just like PRP injections, insurance companies don’t bear the expense here as well.
The Procedure: A Short Term Affair
Joint injections are done on an outpatient basis. Overall duration is approximately 20 minutes, which includes preparation time and follows a short duration of recovery time.
Here Comes The Report Card
After the procedure has been done, immediate relief is experienced although it is temporary. Owing to the nature of steroids of delivering benefits within few days, there are chances when the pain hit backs or seems even bad. These complications subside in a day or two.
With this, it’s a wrap. Hopefully now you know some other good pain relieving options to take shelter and feel better.
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