When might I need an injection?
Injection therapy can relieve pain, reduce inflammation, improve mobility, and promote healing, depending on the type of injection you receive.
A few of the health conditions that may benefit from an injection include:
- Osteoarthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Bursitis and tendonitis
- Rotator cuff tears
- Knee pain
- ACL tear
- Meniscus tear
- Achilles tendonitis
- Shoulder pain
Your injection may target a joint or ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues throughout your body.
What type of injection might I receive?
Your injection may contain:
Steroids
Steroids relieve pain by reducing inflammation. Though ROC Orthopedics often injects steroids into joints, they can also target soft tissues such as an inflamed tendon.
Your steroid injection may contain a local anesthetic, giving you fast but short-lasting pain relief. It takes longer for the steroids to take effect, but then they usually produce longer-lasting results.
Viscosupplementation
Viscosupplementation refers to injecting hyaluronic acid into an arthritic joint. Hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally found in your joints, absorbs shock and lubricates the joint for smooth movement. People with arthritis find that a hyaluronic acid injection restores mobility and alleviates the pain.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)
PRP contains concentrated platelets mixed with plasma. Your provider at ROC Orthopedics creates PRP in the office by drawing a sample of your blood and separating the platelets.
After your provider injects PRP at the site of injured tissues, the platelets release growth factors. Growth factors naturally activate the healing response in the surrounding cells. They also:
- Speed-up the healing process
- Regulate inflammation
- Recruit stem cells to the area
- Stimulate new blood vessel growth
- Build a matrix that supports new tissues
Your provider may recommend PRP for many orthopedic problems, especially slow-healing wounds or injuries in tissues with a low blood supply.
What happens during my injection?
Your provider numbs the skin in the area and then uses imaging such as ultrasound or fluoroscopy to guide the procedure. Real-time imaging can see the injured tissues and place the injection into a precise area of damaged tissues.
Depending on the type of injection, you may return to your normal activities the next day, or you may need to take it easy for a few days.
If you have ongoing pain or inflammation, call ROC Orthopedics or book an appointment online today.
