Joint pain can occur for many reasons, including injuries, arthritis, and other degenerative conditions. These conditions contribute to decreased function and discomfort. Conservative treatments often involve lifestyle changes, physical therapy, and joint injections.
Joint injections are highly effective for various types of joint pain, including arthritis discomfort. However, aftercare is essential to getting the most out of each one.
At Delmarva Pain and Spine Center, Dr. Shachi Patel and her team provide joint injections for arthritis, sciatica, and other injuries that cause chronic joint pain.
Joint injections utilize various medications to alleviate joint pain and inflammation. Many types of injections exist, including epidural steroid injections, corticosteroid injections, and hyaluronic injections.
Various issues plague the joints, including osteoarthritis and chronic injuries. These problems cause pain and inflammation within the joint space, decreasing mobility and functionality.
Each type of joint injection targets damage within the joint to reduce the inflammatory process and provide long-term relief. The types of joint injection we offer include:
We utilize joint injections in just about any joint in the body. Dr. Patel uses epidural steroid injections in the spine, hyaluronic acid injections in the knees, and corticosteroid injections wherever necessary.
Following the injection, going home and resting is a good idea. Keep the area clean and dry for the first few days to allow the infusion to settle and avoid infection.
Look for signs of an infection around the site. These signs include redness, swelling, increased pain, and warmer-than-normal skin.
Avoid getting in a bathtub or whirlpool for a few days to avoid bacteria. Use ice and avoid heating pads over the area for optimal results.
Getting the most out of each joint injection can keep the pain away for weeks to months. Under the right circumstances, some people even experience years of relief.
The best way to get the most pain relief from a joint injection is to follow our aftercare instructions closely. To make the most of your injection, watch for signs of infection, allow the medication to work within the first few hours, and rest.
It's common to experience swelling and discomfort around the injection site after a joint injection. For the first few days, use ice for 20 minutes on and 20 minutes off to alleviate pain and improve inflammation around the injection site.
Pain medications also improve inflammation around the injection site and help the anti-inflammatory medication work within the joint space. Check with Dr. Patel about which medications are safe to take along with the injected medications.
Movement is crucial to joint mobility, but wait a few days until you begin gentle movements. As the days progress, add gentle movement that keeps the joint mobile but doesn't stress the tissues. Examples include walking and stretching.
Each joint injection requires a rest period. Waiting at least 48 hours after the injection before stressing the joint is critical. Take that time to rest and allow the medications to settle. This rest period also decreases inflammation and pain following the injection.
To learn more about our joint injections, call our Newark, Delaware, office to schedule an appointment or request a consultation with Dr. Patel on our website.
