Joint Injections: Why You May Need Them and What to Expect

If you’re one of the more than 58 million American adults with arthritis or you have another condition that causes joint pain, you’ve likely considered various treatment options. Activity changes, ice, and over-the-counter pain medication often provide relief, but more persistent pain may require more specialized care. Enter joint injections.

At The Center for Primary Care and Sports Medicine in Aurora, Illinois, board-certified physician Lawrence Kacmar, MD, and our sports medicine specialists offer several types of joint injections. Here’s what you need to know about how they work and what to expect during treatment.

Why you might need a joint injection

Joint injections provide a quick, minimally invasive way to manage pain caused by arthritis, sports injuries, and other joint-related issues. The solutions we inject to reduce inflammation and pain may contain corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid (HA), and platelet-rich plasma (PRP). In some cases, particularly with PRP or HA, these injections may support the growth of new cells and tissue.

We regularly prescribe joint injections to manage pain caused by:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Bursitis
• Tendinitis
• Gout

We can administer these injections into almost any joint in the body, including your wrists, shoulders, knees, ankles, and spine. They often provide fast relief, with effects that can last several weeks or months. In many cases, joint injections help delay or even prevent the need for surgery.

What are the different types of joint injections?

Several types of joint injections are available that can help reduce inflammation, ease discomfort, and restore mobility, including:

Cortisone shots

These joint injections contain cortisone, a steroid that reduces inflammation and pain. They’re often used to treat minor sports injuries or trauma. While many patients notice improvement within a few days, these injections aren’t a long-term solution. Over time, repeated cortisone use can damage cartilage, so we may recommend a different treatment if your pain persists.

Hyaluronic acid injections

HA is a naturally occurring substance that helps lubricate your joints. We typically recommend these injections for mild or moderate knee or shoulder pain. One treatment may provide relief for several months or up to a year in certain patients.

Platelet-rich plasma injections

PRP is a solution made by concentrating platelets collected from your own blood. When injected into a damaged joint, ligament, or tendon, PRP delivers these growth factors precisely where you need it, reducing inflammation and supporting your body’s natural healing process. 

Prolotherapy

These injections contain a dextrose (sugar) solution. When we inject the solution into a joint, ligament, or tendon, it stimulates a mild inflammatory response that encourages healing. We may recommend this type of injection if you have knee arthritis or an overuse injury, like tennis elbow.

Orthobiologics

Another regenerative therapy, orthobiologics are made from your own blood or tissue. These injections aren’t currently FDA approved, but a growing body of research suggests they may help heal damaged joint tissue, relieve pain, and improve mobility. They’re often used when more traditional treatments aren’t effective.

Recovery and results: What to expect after joint injection treatment

It’s normal to experience some swelling, bruising, and redness at the injection site. These symptoms typically subside within a few days, but they may last up to a week. 

Some people experience pain relief soon after their first joint injection, while others may require a series of treatments. Although joint injections don’t provide permanent pain relief, the effects typically last several weeks to months.

Lasting joint pain can keep you from work and other activities you enjoy, but joint injections can help you get back to doing what you love. To find out if joint injections are right for you, contact The Center for Primary Care and Sports Medicine today. Call our office or book an appointment online.