Are You Living with Arthritis Pain? It is Time to Consider Joint Injection Relief
Relief from arthritis pain using joint injection. Reduce inflammation, heal, and lubricate joints. Osteoarthritis joint pain only grows worse untreated.
If you are experiencing pain from osteoarthritis, you are not alone. According to the CDC, almost 50% of adults aged 65 or older have reported living with arthritis. We at Senior Medical Associates work every day to relieve the pain of aging and treat each medical condition to the fullest extent possible. If oral painkillers and steroids have proven ineffective, we recommend turning to pain relief through joint injection.
Osteoarthritis, or OA, is the most common form of arthritis which affects the cartilage in knees, hips, hands, and the spine. As the cartilage breaks down, the surface of the surrounding bone becomes vulnerable to damage, causing pain, swelling, and stiffness. Over time, the condition worsens, requiring more effective treatments such as joint injection.
Joint injection is a simple procedure that takes under 5 minutes. The procedure is used to treat areas throughout the whole body including the knees, hips, shoulders, and hands. If necessary, x-ray guidance is possible to find the inflamed vertebrae and provide relief to the specific areas that are causing pain. After a day of rest and the potential for mild soreness, the procedure provides relief from arthritis pain, reduces inflammation, and allows the body to heal. Senior Medical Associates provides joint injection as an out-patient procedure with courtesy transportation. The entire procedure is done in three steps:
1. An anesthetic shot is applied to the sterilized target area.
2. If considered helpful or necessary, a needle is used to drain the excess fluid in the area. Too much fluid causes inflammation and slows down the healing process.
3. A certain pain-reliever is injected into the area. One of the most commonly used solutions is Corticosteroids, though other options such as hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma are available.
Corticosteroids
This class of steroid hormone naturally forms in the adrenal cortex of vertebrates. The hormone reduces inflammation, and can be used to treat flare-ups of osteoarthritis pain. Relief comes within 24 to 48 hours of the procedure and lasts for 6 to 12 weeks, the approximate length of an osteoarthritis flare-up.
Corticosteroids help most osteoarthritis patients, but cannot be used continuously. The treatment works best the first time it is used, then becomes less effective with each use. In addition, overuse has been shown to cause nerve damage, creating further pain and complications. Most patients for this treatment have a Corticosteroid injection 2 to 3 times per year.
The right treatment to suit your individual needs will depend on the circumstances and the options available. We wish to work with you to find the right answer to your pain. If you or someone you know is experiencing arthritis pain, please contact a doctor. We at Senior Medical Associates offer free Meet and Greet visits with our doctors to those over 65. Contact us at (954) 532-4121