Which Injection is Best for Joint Pain?
Joint pain is quite common, particularly as you age. There are ways to reduce pain, but if it persists or is really painful, seek medical help. Continue reading to find out more about joint injections for knees and how you can get them at our pharmacy in Llanedeyrn.
Types of joint pain
The following are common types of joint pain:
- Knee pain.
- Shoulder pain.
- Elbow pain.
- Foot pain, including your toes and ankle.
- Hip pain.
- Hand pain, including your fingers and wrist.
- Neck pain.
You may experience pain in one joint or several joints at once, such as your hips and knees.
Causes of joint pain
Joint pain may have a variety of causes. It could result from a wound or a chronic condition like arthritis. Your symptoms may help you identify the potential pain-causing factor. But if you're concerned, see a medical professional instead of self-diagnosing.
Treatments for joint pain
The cause of your joint pain will determine how it's treated. Pain may occasionally disappear without medical intervention.
- A doctor may:
- Prescribe strong painkillers.
- If they believe you have an infection, they will prescribe antibiotics.
- Suggest physiotherapy for you.
- Refer you to a hospital for scanning or specialised care, such as surgery or steroid injections.
What are the best joint injections for knee pain?
Hydrocortisone injections are some of the best injections for joint pain. The injections are commonly used in the treatment of painful or swollen joints, such as those that are arthritic or swollen following an injury.
The hydrocortisone is directly administered to the affected joint (usually referred to as intra-articular injection). The parts that are commonly injected include the shoulders, knee, elbow, hand, wrist, as well as hip joints.
Additionally, painful tendons as well as bursitis are treated with hydrocortisone injections. They are occasionally used to relieve specific muscular pain.
Typically, the injections facilitate movement by reducing pain as well as swelling. The effects may last for some months. Hydrocortisone is basically a steroid or corticosteroid.
Hydrocortisone injections can only be acquired with a prescription. They are often administered by a doctor with specialised training in a GP's office or hospital.
A higher dose of hydrocortisone injections may be administered by medical personnel in an emergency to manage severe asthma, allergic responses, severe shock brought on by infection or injury, or adrenal gland dysfunction.
When should you have joint injections for your knees?
Your injection will often be administered by a specialist doctor. A local anaesthetic may be present if the injection is intended to treat pain. Before receiving the hydrocortisone injection, you could also get a general anaesthetic by injection or spray to numb the skin.
After the injection, you can go home, although you might want to give the treated area a few days of rest. You could be able to receive a hydrocortisone injection on the same joint, up to four times per year. You may require a certain number of injections depending on the affected area and the strength of the medication.
If you are arthritic, the treatment is only applicable when there is a pain in a few joints. Typically, only three joints are injected in one go. The hydrocortisone dosage is determined by how big the joint is. It varies from 5 mg to 50 mg of hydrocortisone.
How many doses of hydrocortisone will I need?
It may not be necessary to get a second hydrocortisone injection if your swelling and pain improve after the first one. If hydrocortisone injections are effective in treating a long-term issue, you can keep getting them.
The standard recommendation is to wait at least three months before administering another hydrocortisone injection to the same joint. Even while they occasionally work in as little as a few hours, hydrocortisone injections often take a few days to begin to take effect.
What are the side effects of joint injections for knees?
Following the injection, it is advised to avoid strenuous activity for 24 hours and to rest the joint. It is okay to take over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen or paracetamol.
Where can I get joint injections for my knees in Llanedeyrn?
Book your appointment with or visit Hopwoods Pharmacy today to get your joint injections for your knees in Llanedeyrn.
