Steroid Injection Therapy for Joint Pain: A Comprehensive Guide
Joint pain can seriously affect your quality of life. It is a common problem that is found in people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, shapes and sizes. When you have Joint Pain, it can range from uncomfortable to debilitating and everything in between. The causes of this can be varied, from Osteoarthritis to overuse and injury. There are lots of treatments available for Joint Pain, but one of the most effective is Steroid Injection Therapy. Relive Physiotherapy has Chester’s Premium Injection Therapist, Raj Gandhi working with our clients to offer pain management solutions.
So what are steroid injections, how do they work, what are the benefits and potential side effects, and, most importantly, are they the right option for you and your issue?
What is Steroid Injection Therapy?
Steroid injection Therapy involves using Corticosteroids (synthetic versions of hormones naturally produced by the adrenal glands) to reduce inflammation and reduce pain in the affected joint. Raj would typically administer the injection straight into the joint using Ultrasound Guided Injection Therapy, which allows the steroid to reach the target area quickly and effectively. If you have been told that you have Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Bursitis or Tendonitis, then this could be the perfect solution for you.
How Does Steroid Injection Therapy Work?
The steroid which has been injected directly into the joint reduces the inflammation, which is a key contributor to pain and discomfort, especially in conditions such as Arthritis. By injecting a Corticosteroid directly into the joint, it helps to:
1. Reduce Swelling: Steroids decrease the amount of fluid and tissue swelling around the joint.
2. Decrease Pain: With reduced inflammation, pain levels typically decrease, providing relief for several weeks to months.
3. Improve Mobility: By reducing pain and inflammation, joint function and mobility often improve, allowing individuals to return to daily activities with more freedom and significantly less pain.
Benefits of Steroid Injections
1. Fast Relief: Steroid injections can provide quick pain relief, often within a few days, making them an ideal option for acute flare-ups of joint pain.
2. Long-Lasting Effects: Many clients experience relief for weeks or even months, depending on the severity of their condition and the joint being treated.
3. Non-Surgical Option: Steroid injections offer an alternative to surgery, particularly for people who wish to avoid invasive procedures or who are not candidates for surgery.
4. Improved Quality of Life: With less pain and inflammation, our clients often tell us about their improved sleep, better mobility, and a significant increase in their quality of life.
So, What Should You Expect When You Come For Injection Therapy At Relive Physiotherapy?
Before giving you the injection, Raj will examine your joint and ask you lots of questions about your medical history and medication, to be sure that there is nothing that could prevent you from having the injection. He will thoroughly clean the joint with an antiseptic to reduce the risk of infection and will give you a local anaesthetic if you want to numb the area. Our clients seldom ask for the anaesthetic as they tell us that the injection itself is not painful. The steroid medication is then injected directly into the joint with a fine needle.
You may experience a little discomfort, but this will go very soon after the procedure. In some cases, you may feel an immediate relief, whilst for others it may be a few days before you feel the full benefits. While some discomfort may occur, the injection is usually well-tolerated, and the pain should subside after the procedure. In some cases, you may feel immediate relief, though for others, it may take a few days for the full effect to be felt.
Potential Side Effects
While steroid injections can be highly effective, they are not without risks. Some potential side effects include:
1. Temporary Pain at the Injection Site: It's common to experience some soreness or tenderness after the injection.
2. Infection: Although rare, there's always a risk of infection with any procedure that involves a needle.
3. Elevated Blood Sugar Levels: Steroids can raise blood sugar, so individuals with diabetes may need to monitor their levels more closely after an injection.
4. Joint Damage: Repeated steroid injections in the same joint over time can lead to cartilage damage or weakening of the bones, so they should not be given too frequently.
5. Flushing and Sweating: Some people experience temporary flushing, sweating, or other mild side effects after receiving a steroid injection.
How Often Can Steroid Injections Be Given?
Steroid injections are not a one-size-fits-all solution, and their frequency will depend on your individual condition. NICE (The National Institute for Care Excellence) recommends that no joint should be injected more than 3 times in a 12 month period. If you have too many injections, it can lead to joint damage and other complications. If you find that you need frequent injections, then you may need to consider other treatment options alongside or instead of steroid injections, such as Physiotherapy or surgery.
When does Raj recommend Steroid Injection Therapy?
Raj recommends Steroid injections for people who:
• Have moderate to severe joint pain that stops them from going about their day to day life freely
• Cannot take oral medication, who feel that it hasn’t had the desired effects or where other types of treatment have not worked
• Want to avoid surgery but need relief from chronic inflammation and pain
• Are dealing with conditions like Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, or Bursitis
When you come to see Raj, he will discuss the options with you and help you decide whether Steroid Injection is the right treatment option for you based on your goals, health situation and your condition.
Alternatives to Steroid Injections
While Steroid Injections can provide excellent pain relief, they are only one of a number of options available to you. Some of the other treatments include:
1. Physiotherapy: Strengthening the muscles around your joint can help reduce pain and improve your ability to use it.
2. Hyaluronic Acid/ Durolane Injections: These injections aim to lubricate the joint, improving mobility and reducing pain, particularly in cases of Osteoarthritis.
3. Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Oral medications such as Ibuprofen can help manage inflammation and pain.
If you aren’t sure whether a Steroid Injection is for you, then your first action should be to call Chester’s Best Physiotherapy Clinic for Injection Therapy, Relive Physiotherapy and talk to Raj. He will be able to discuss your particular case and symptoms and make a recommendation to you over the phone. However, please remember that this is only a recommendation and he cannot give you a definitive answer without having properly examined you.
It can be a highly effective treatment for your joint pain, providing you quick relief from inflammation, pain and swelling. However, like any treatment, it is to be used in moderation and under the guidance of a trained professional. If you are having a daily struggle with Joint Pain and are considering Steroid Injections with Relive Physiotherapy, the first thing to do is to give us a call to see whether this is the right treatment type for you.
Once you have made the decision to talk to us, then you are closer to recovery, meaning you can go back to your daily life and doing the things that you used to do before pain struck.
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