Some 15 million people in the United States report enduring severe joint pain related to arthritis. And when you’re experiencing joint pain or stiffness, whether from arthritis or an injury, little sounds as inviting as swift relief. Joint injections were designed to provide precisely that.

Dr. Javier Sosa and his team at Woodlands Primary Healthcare are pleased to offer this treatment for residents of The Woodlands, Texas, who are grappling with joint problems. Read on to learn more about joint injections, including their benefits.

Joint injections basics

Joint injections usually contain corticosteroids, a local anesthetic, or both. Once Dr. Sosa has determined that you’re a good candidate, he injects the solution into the affected joint. Most commonly, joint injections help treat inflammatory joint conditions, such as:

• Gout
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis

Joint injections may also help when you’ve had an injury, such as a sprained ankle or frozen shoulder, or live with a non-arthritic chronic joint condition, such as tendonitis or bursitis. The treatment is quick and painless, thanks to a topical numbing agent, and performed in a standard office appointment.

Joint injection benefits

Joint injections can bring a broad range of benefits when you’re experiencing joint issues. Because the therapeutic solution goes straight to the problem area, without needing to be processed by your body the way oral medications do, you can expect to feel rapid pain relief. 

While some people notice near-immediate symptoms improvements, they usually start working within 24-48 hours and last for several weeks or longer. For this reason, joint injections can be especially helpful during a flare-up of a form of arthritis, like gout, when your symptoms worsen severely, or shortly after an injury.

Joint injections also help alleviate swelling and stiffness, leading to better mobility, improved function, and a lowered risk of additional pain or injury. And because joint injections are targeted in specific treatment areas, they’re less likely to cause side effects you might experience from oral steroid medications, such as fever, rash, or mood changes. 

Similarly, joint injections are unlikely to interact with other medications. So if you can’t take particular oral pain medications, joint injections might be your best option.

Because each person has unique needs, there is no single joint treatment that works for everyone or at every point in their health journey. A comprehensive exam with Dr. Sosa can help ensure that you get the care you need and find your way to relief sooner than later.

To find out if you’re a good candidate for joint injections or other joint condition treatments, 

call Woodlands Primary Healthcare or request an appointment with Dr. Sosa on our website.