Joint Injections

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Joint injections are nonsurgical treatments that deliver anesthetics and anti-inflammatory medications directly into the tissues surrounding your damaged joints. By minimizing swelling and reducing pain, your joints can heal. 

When combined with regular exercise, physical therapy, and other rehabilitative treatments, joint injections can improve joint function.

Dr. Gifford performs several different types of joint injections at 417 Sports Medicine & Orthopedics, including:

Hyaluronic acid is a viscous substance that can lubricate the joints. Also called viscosupplementation, hyaluronic acid injections can increase lubrication, reduce inflammation, and relieve pain in damaged, arthritic joints.

Dr. Gifford performs ultrasound-guided injections to target your specific area of pain. The ultrasound allows him to see exactly where to inject the medication for lasting relief. The entire procedure takes just 15-30 minutes, depending on how many injections you need. 

Since injections stimulate your body’s ability to make new tissues and repair damage, it can take a few weeks to experience noticeable relief from pain. Over the next 2-3 months, decreased swelling can tame your pain and improve joint function.

Joint injections can alleviate pain from a number of musculoskeletal conditions, including:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rotator cuff tendinitis
• Partial rotator cuff tear
• Achilles tendinosis
• Tennis elbow
• Golfer’s elbow
• Hip tendinitis
• Quadriceps and patellar tendinitis

Combining joint injections with regular exercise and physical therapy can reduce pain and strengthen your muscle function to relieve pressure from damaged tissues and joints.

To learn more about joint injections, call 417 Sports Medicine & Orthopedics or schedule an appointment online today.