From hip to shoulder pain, achy joints can be uncomfortable nuisances. If your discomfort is persistent, your specialist might recommend injections. This minimally invasive treatment can help you get some sleep and roll out of bed feeling better. Use the following guide to explore this option further.

The Different Types of Joint Injections

If you experience joint pain, there are several different injections for a number of these areas. A specialist can inject a mixture of corticosteroids and anesthetic numbing agents into your spine, tailbone, hips, shoulders, elbows, hands, knees, ankles and feet.

While this is the most common type of joint injection, other options include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and placental tissue matrix (PTM) injections. The first makes use of your own blood platelets to promote the body’s natural healing process and reduce inflammation. The second uses placental tissue to relieve osteoarthritis pain. Hyaluronic acid (HA) injections are prescribed to replace fluids in the knee joint.

The Benefits

In the joints, pain is often caused by friction as bones move against other bones, tendons and ligaments. The main goal of joint injections is to reduce this friction either by minimizing inflammation or increasing lubrication. They can help patients with chronic pain, people with diseases like arthritis or those recovering from acute injuries.

What to Expect

Before the treatment, your specialist will run tests and take X-rays to ensure the pain is emanating from the joint. On the day of the injection, you’ll be asked to lie down while the numbing agent and possibly a sedative is administered. However, while relaxed, you can expect to remain awake during the injection process.

Your specialist will use a colored X-ray diagram to determine the ideal injection site before administering the solution. While you might feel pressure or mild discomfort, you don’t have to fear a painful experience. You should be able to walk around immediately following the injection, and you might even return to work the same day. If you notice any soreness around the injection site, ice the area and take a painkiller like acetaminophen. For steroid injections, you should wait a few days before judging the effectiveness of the procedure.

If you’re interested in scheduling an injection for your back, hip or shoulder pain, reach out to iSpine Pain Physicians. They have five locations in the Twin Cities, MN, including Maple Grove, Coon Rapids, Chaska, Shakopee, Sartell and Delano. Thanks to their injections and other minimally invasive treatments, you can experience less discomfort and get back to your favorite activities. To schedule an appointment, call (763) 201-8191. Visit the website to learn more about their offerings for back and shoulder pain.