Injection Therapy
If persistent joint pain has become an unwelcomed guest in your life and none of the treatments you’ve tried have given you satisfactory relief, you might have developed an open mind to new suggestions. For those of you who are in this position, one nonsurgical treatment to consider is injection therapy, which is often effective for alleviating pain and improving function.
At the Westfield Orthopedic Group, we offer several injection services in addition to the numerous surgical procedures that we perform. For many patients, regular injections can keep pain levels at bay and delay the need for surgery, sometimes for long periods of time.
Overview of our Injection Therapy Services
Injections differ in their specific mechanism of action, but they are all generally intended for the same purpose: reduce pain and inflammation in bothersome joints to help patients move more freely and easily. Below are brief descriptions of the injection services we offer at the Westfield Orthopedic Group and what you need to know if you’re a candidate.
Cortisone injections
Cortisone injections contain a concentration of anti-inflammatory steroids. They are often combined with an anesthetic (eg, lidocaine). After the injection, the anesthetic may provide nearly immediate relief from pain that can last for several hours. It takes about 2-3 days for the steroid component to kick in and reduce pain levels—which is the result of less inflammation in the joint—and this relief typically lasts for 2-3 months.
Cortisone injections are often recommended for patients with osteoarthritis and other types of joint pain in the knees, hips, and shoulders. These injections can provide relatively fast improvements in pain and function.
Hyaluronic acid (“Gel”) injections
Normal, healthy joints are surrounded by a liquid called synovial fluid, which helps the joint to absorb shock during activity. This fluid eventually thins out and loses its elasticity over time, which can wear away at the cartilage covering the joint and contribute to osteoarthritis.
Hyaluronic acid is a substance found in this synovial fluid that can be injected directly into a joint to restore its natural properties. In doing so, hyaluronic acid injections—also known as gel injections or viscosupplementation—work as a lubricant and increase the joint’s shock-absorbing capabilities. The hyaluronic acid acts as a natural buffer against inflammatory cells in the joint and may even stimulate the joint to produce more hyaluronic acid.
These injections are almost exclusively indicated for osteoarthritis and other types of arthritis, most commonly of the knee. One treatment consists of 1-3 injections and can usually reduce pain levels for about 4-5 months, or up to one year in some cases.
Platelet-rich plasma injections
Platelets are small cells found in the blood that contain growth factors and proteins that assist with soft tissue healing. An emerging treatment takes advantage of these properties by extracting and concentrating platelets from a patient, and then injecting this solution into the painful joint. As such, these platelet-rich plasma injections can alter the immune response to decrease inflammation, alleviate pain, and improve function.
Since platelet-rich plasma injections are a newer treatment, many research efforts are underway to evaluate their effectiveness. Patients should also be aware that these injections are not typically covered by insurance providers.
Find out if injection therapy is right for you
You may be a candidate for one of these injections if you’re dealing with severe or chronic pain in a joint that has not noticeably improved with other interventions. While osteoarthritis is the most common condition treated, injection therapy can lead to benefits for a variety of other painful musculoskeletal conditions, too. To learn more about injection therapy and determine if it’s right for you, contact Westfield Orthopedic Group at 908-232-3879 or fill out an appointment request form.