Pain can be debilitating, especially if it is chronic and doesn’t respond to normal pain relievers. When you’re suffering from pain, particularly in the joints, it can be quite difficult to move around and function throughout the day.
In the case of chronic joint pain, your orthopedic doctor may recommend that you receive a steroid injection by the orthopedist right there in the office. Steroid injections are anti-inflammatory treatments that can relieve your pain, and the relief can last for weeks or months at a time.
How Steroid Injections Work for Musculoskeletal Pain Relief
Steroid injections, which comprise strong and effective medicines such as hydrocortisone and triamcinolone, are synthetic versions of compounds that our body normally naturally produces. (These are different from anabolic steroids, which are associated with artificially increasing muscle mass.) These specialized steroid injections control inflammation by suppressing the genes that encode inflammatory proteins. It also affects the way white blood cells work, thus reducing immune system activity and reducing the inflammatory response.
When injected directly into a hurting muscle or joint, it can greatly reduce and relieve pain, swelling, and stiffness. It may be combined with a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort during the actual injection procedure and to numb the affected area until the steroids take effect. Steroid injections may take up to two weeks before you experience their full effect.
Steroid Injections as a Treatment for Arthritis
Arthritis can cause chronic pain and swelling in the joints, including in the back. To treat the pain and inflammation, your orthopedic doctor can administer a steroid shot directly into the painful joint. This injection not only relieves pain and reduces swelling, but it also improves mobility and flexibility.
Patients are usually allowed to go home right after receiving the injection. Aftercare usually includes protecting the area of injection and resting the treated area for a few days.
Who Can Get a Steroid Injection?
Your orthopedic doctor will consider several factors when recommending treatment for chronic pain. Most patients can receive a steroid injection to treat joint pain, including teenage athletes, active adults, and those who have degenerative conditions.
Your doctor will consider any infections you have, any allergies you’ve had to steroids, any medications you’re taking, and any underlying conditions you may have – such as diabetes. Likewise, inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Steroid Injection in Rochester Hills, Bad Axe, and Lapeer, MI
Don’t let chronic joint pain stop you from living the life you want. If the pain you feel is starting to affect your quality of life, consult an orthopedic doctor about your options, including steroid injections.
Dr. Bradley Ahlgren and our whole orthopedic team can help you to finally find relief. We are committed to providing you with quality orthopedic care to relieve your pain and improve your lifestyle.
If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, contact Ahlgren Spine today by calling (248) 215-8080 or by filling out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping you find the pain relief you need to enjoy life once again.
