What joints can be helped with joint injections?
There are a variety of peripheral joints that can be helped with an injection. These joints include the hip, shoulder, knee, and wrist (for carpal tunnel syndrome). Knee pain is a very common condition that can sometimes easily be solved with joint injections.
How is the procedure performed?
Most often, these injections can be done right in the office in the comfort of a recliner. Less often, these larger joints may be done with the assistance of fluoroscopic guidance (x-ray mapping) in our office procedure suite. Commonly, the joint is injected with a mixture of a long-acting corticosteroid with the addition of a local anesthetic.
What should I expect after my injection?
The local anesthetic may start helping the day of the injection. The corticosteroid might take up to 5 days to start to take effect. If you have some injection site pain, you can use ice to help reduce pain. Do not use heat until 24 hours after the injection.
How often should I have the injection repeated?
Our goal in doing the injection is that you get long-lasting relief and restoration of your prior function. In general, a joint injection can be repeated every 3 months. If the corticosteroid fails to produce long-lasting relief we might try an injection of a Visco supplement medicine that will hopefully prolong your pain relief.
Are there things I should look for after having this procedure?
Of course, you can call our office for any question you might have, but there are certain “red flag” warnings for which you should call us, or if after hours you should go to your nearest ER. These “red flag” warnings would include severe or worsening pain, fever over 101 degrees, new or worsening weakness, or injection site redness or drainage.
Pain specialists like Dr. Stephen Irwin of NWA Interventional Pain can help treat joint pain with injections at NWA Interventional Pain in Rogers, Arkansas. If you are seeking pain treatment by a qualified and friendly pain specialist in Arkansas please call our office for an appointment and consultation.