In order to relieve joint pain, inflammation of tendons, ligaments and muscles, various types of drugs are injected into the damaged tissue or joint. The most convincing results are observed for three types of injections. We also offer them to patients at the ORTO clinic.
Hyaluronic acid reduces pain, swelling and stiffness in the damaged joint. These injections are used in cases where nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs do not produce results, or the patient has intolerance towards them. Hyaluronic acid injections take effect more slowly than cortisone injections, usually requiring up to six months. The effectiveness of hyaluronic acid injections can be fully assessed after five weeks.
Hyaluronic acid injections should only be given once the inflammation in the joint has healed. Currently, injections for degenerative cartilage in the knee have shown the greatest effect.
There are low and high viscosity forms of hyaluronic acid injections. High viscosity hyaluronic acid injections better perform shock absorbing functions and reduce pain. Low viscosity hyaluronic acid injections primarily provide nutrients to joint surfaces. Low viscosity hyaluronic acid injections may be repeated three to five times – one per week. High viscosity hyaluronic acid injections may be repeated no sooner than every six months.
Possible side effects.In some cases, there may be sharp pain in the joint immediately after the injection and it may become red and swollen. Such a reaction can be expected both after the first and the second injection. Usually, the symptoms ease after applying a cold compress. The injections may not fully remove the underlying pain in the joint.
Corticosteroids quickly reduce pain and swelling, therefore are often used in the cases where nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs do not produce results, or the patient has intolerance toward nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The effects of corticosteroid injections are apparent within one or two days. Their effects can last from few days to six months. If the previous injection was effective for at least four months, it may be repeated. The number of repeated injections must not exceed four in a one-year period.
Possible side effects. In some cases, there may be sharp pain in the joint immediately after the injection and it may become red and swollen. Usually, these symptoms ease if a cool compress is applied to the joint. There may be fat atrophy at the injection point, meaning that as the subcutaneous tissue is reduced, small indentations may appear. In rare cases the skin colour at the injection site may change and the patient’s face may show redness. Diabetes patients may experience elevated blood sugar levels.
Protein injections are widely used in medical procedures requiring substantial restoration of tissue, for example, in microsurgery and orthopaedic surgeries. Improvements after protein injections take several weeks to manifest themselves. Up to three protein injections are recommended in any six-month period. Unlike cortisone or hyaluronic acid injections, protein injections have the potential to heal the underlying causes of joint problems, therefore in successful cases the pain and inflammation can be resolved for patients with certain diagnoses.
Possible side effects. Since protein injections are formed from the patient’s own blood, they are considered relatively safe. However, no anti-inflammatory medications should be used neither before, nor after protein injections.
