Injections
Injections are an important treatment option for orthopedic injuries and are commonly used to decrease inflammation and pain in a given joint or area. Injections can be used for many types of injuries, but are commonly used for repetitive use injuries that are not improving such as inflammation in the shoulder or knee, tennis elbow, De Quervain's tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, trochanteric bursitis, IT band syndrome, or others. Injections can also be used for chronic osteoarthritis in various joints such as the shoulder, elbow, wrist, CMC thumb joint, hip, knee, or ankle. Below are the various types of injections that the team at Urgently Ortho is expertly trained at using. We recommend further discussing whether these might be right for you and your condition with your provider.
Corticosteroid Injection
Corticosteroid injections are injections that are given with a mixture of lidocaine and a steroid, such as Kenalog or Dexamethasone. Steroids are powerful anti-inflammatories that are used to reduce inflammation in an area. They are typically injected in a joint or area of inflammation to aid in pain relief, increase range of motion, and ideally help the patient quickly return to activity. They may be recommended after an acute injury or for chronic conditions.
In orthopedics these injections are most commonly administered into an arthritic joint. They can also be administered into an area of inflammation from a repetitive stress injury. The team at Urgently Ortho recommends talking to your provider to inquire whether corticosteroid injections are recommended for your condition.
Hyaluronic Acid Injection
Hyaluronic acid injections are injections that are typically used to address pain due to osteoarthritis. Hyaluronic acid is a thick solution that mimics the joint fluid already in the knee. By lubricating the inside of the joint, ideally there is a reduction in pain as well as an overall increase in mobility. There are many brands on the market, and depending on the one best suited for you this may require a single injection or a 3 step series.
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP)
Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) injections are state-of-the-art injections that are recently being used for orthopedic injuries. The goal of these injections is to take platelets from the patient's blood and inject them into the area of injury to accelerate healing. They are currently being used for osteoarthritis in larger joints, as well as repetitive stress injuries to the tendons. Studies are still in progress about the efficacy of the injections versus more standard injections such as cortisone injections. The team at Urgently Ortho recommends talking to your orthopedic specialist about the details of PRP and if it’s right for you.
