Joint Injections Specialist in Arizona

Joint injections are a form of minimally invasive procedure used to treat a range of inflammatory joint conditions. Joint injections involve injecting medications directly into the affected joint to reduce pain and inflammation while improving joint function. These injections could be useful in treating conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, tendinitis, bursitis, osteoarthritis, and various joint injuries.

Our healthcare providers are experienced in performing joint injections. Joint injections are often performed under local anesthesia and involve injecting a mixture of anesthetic and anti-inflammatory medication into the joint space. This mixture provides immediate relief from pain and works to reduce long-term inflammation and swelling.

There are various types of joint injections that we may consider, including corticosteroid injections, viscosupplementation injections, and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. The type of medication chosen will depend on the underlying joint condition, your response, and the type of medication used.

Joint injections, when performed by our qualified medical professionals, can provide rapid pain relief, reduced inflammation, improved mobility, and potentially delay more invasive procedures like surgery.

At Centra Internal Medicine, we understand the debilitating impact of chronic joint pain. That’s why we offer joint injections, a common and effective treatment for pain and inflammation associated with conditions like arthritis.

Joint injections work by delivering potent medications directly into the affected joint. This targeted approach ensures a more concentrated and immediate response compared to oral medications, which must first pass through the digestive system.

Joint injections can provide both immediate and prolonged relief from pain thanks to their anti-inflammatory and anesthetic effects. They often contain a corticosteroid, a potent anti-inflammatory medication that reduces inflammation and provides prolonged relief. In addition, they typically contain a local anesthetic that numbs the joint area, providing immediate, albeit temporary, pain relief.

Certain joint injections may contain hyaluronic acid, a viscous substance that mimics the natural joint fluid, providing additional cushioning and shock absorption within the joint. This can be especially beneficial in treating conditions characterized by joint degeneration and loss of cartilage.

Joint injections are capable of alleviating pain, reducing inflammation, and improving function in various joint-related conditions.

Among the conditions that can be treated with joint injections at our practice include:

Osteoarthritis and Rheumatoid Arthritis: As one of the most common conditions treated at Centra Internal Medicine, we use joint injections to deliver pain-relieving medications and lubricants to improve joint function in osteoarthritis cases. For rheumatoid arthritis, injections can suppress inflammation and reduce pain.

Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursa can be effectively treated with joint injections at our clinic. We inject corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and pain associated with this condition.

Tendonitis: We use joint injections to effectively treat inflammation or irritation of a tendon. The injections deliver pain-relieving medications, allowing the tendon to heal more effectively.

Gout: Our medical professionals use joint injections to provide rapid relief from gout, caused by crystal deposits in the joints or an excess of uric acid in the bloodstream.

Additionally, we use joint injections to treat joint injuries, such as sprains, strains, and certain autoimmune disorders, like lupus and psoriatic arthritis. Other conditions like septic arthritis (joint infection), frozen shoulder, and hip labral tears can also be treated with joint injections at Centra Internal Medicine.

At Centra Internal Medicine, we understand that dealing with joint pain can hurt your daily life. To this end, we offer a myriad of treatment options, including joint injections, to help manage your symptoms.

Depending on your specific condition and needs, our experienced team of healthcare providers may recommend one or more types of joint injections:

• Corticosteroids (Steroid Injections): These are often used to manage the inflammation and pain caused by arthritis. You may begin to experience some symptom relief within a matter of a few days, with the full effects noticeable within two weeks.
• Hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation): This treatment is used to improve joint lubrication in osteoarthritis patients. You may need several injections over weeks or months to experience the full benefits.
• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): This innovative treatment uses your blood to promote healing in the affected joint. It may take a period between weeks or months for you to notice relief as it works by promoting your body’s natural healing processes.
• Stem cell therapy: This treatment involves the injection of stem cells into the affected joint to stimulate tissue regeneration. The effects may take months to years to become fully apparent.

The duration of relief from these injections can vary greatly, depending on the nature and the severity of your condition, the type of joint being treated, your overall health, and your body’s response to the injections.

At Centra Internal Medicine, we understand how debilitating joint pain can be for our patients. Our experienced team of physicians takes several factors into account, including the underlying condition being treated, the patient’s overall health, the type of joint injection, and their clinical judgment to determine the frequency of joint injections.

Typically, we suggest that patients wait a minimum of three to six months between joint injections to avoid potential side effects, such as infection, changes in blood sugar levels, thinning of the surrounding tissues, cartilage damage, or bleeding. We usually limit corticosteroid injections, commonly used for inflammation and pain relief, to three or four per year in the same joint. This is to prevent potential side effects like weakening of the cartilage, tendons, and ligaments in the joint.

For conditions like osteoarthritis, we may administer injections as frequently as every few weeks to months, while for other conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, injections may only be necessary once or twice a year.

At Centra Internal Medicine, we provide a comprehensive range of services aimed at diagnosing and treating various health conditions, including joint-related ailments. For more information, please contact us or schedule an appointment online. We serve patients from Sun City AZ, Phoenix AZ, Prescott AZ, Buckeye AZ, Westpark AZ, Liberty AZ, Peoria AZ, Glendale AZ, Diamond Valley AZ, Iron Springs AZ, Bumstead AZ, EI Mirage AZ, and surrounding areas.