Because we’re passionate at Big Life about primary care, we’re always looking for new ways to meet the greatest needs of our patients. When patients present with complaints about aches and pains in the body, we’re especially concerned. After all, when you’re in pain, it’s hard to get out there and live your “big life.”
If you’re suffering, you’re definitely not alone. Did you know that more than 20% of all primary care visits deal with these issues, including discomfort in the hips, shoulders, ankles, elbows, knees, and trigger finger?
While over-the-counter and prescription medications, medical massage, physical therapy, inflammation-reducing diets, natural supplements, and biostimulation are some of the tools we use at Big Life to provide relief, there’s also incredible data around the use of joint injection therapies as a powerful tool to assist in relieving pain and delaying or preventing surgery.
Joint injections involve injecting medication via a special needle directly into a joint to treat pain, reduce inflammation, and improve joint function. Pain during treatment is mild to tolerable and treatment time is minimal, with most appointments complete in fewer than 15 minutes.
Injection Sites
- Shoulder
- Elbow
- Knee
- Hip
- Trigger finger
- Carpal tunnel
- Plantar fasciitis
- Ankle
Types of Injections
- Steroid Injections: Often referred to as corticosteroid or cortisone injections, steroid injections are used to reduce inflammation and alleviate pain quickly. They are injected directly into the joint to manage symptoms of conditions like osteoarthritis or acute joint pain. Steroids can provide relief for several weeks to months, but may have side effects, most commonly cartilage damage, with repeated use. Even so, steroid injections are the most commonly deployed joint injection with the longest history of use. Steroid injections can be repeated every four months.
- Prolotherapy: This therapy involves injecting a solution (usually dextrose or saline) into the joint, ligaments, or tendons to promote healing. The theory is that the solution induces a mild inflammatory response that stimulates the body’s repair processes. Prolotherapy has been used for osteoarthritis, chronic pain from ligament or tendon injuries, and can sometimes be combined with PRP for enhanced effects. Prolotherapy injections can be repeated every two to three weeks.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections: PRP involves drawing a patient’s blood, centrifuging it to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting this platelet-rich plasma into the joint. The idea is that the growth factors in platelets can stimulate healing, reduce inflammation, and improve joint function. PRP is used for conditions like osteoarthritis, tendinopathies, and post-surgical healing. Some studies show benefits over longer periods compared to steroids or hyaluronic acid, though results can vary. PRP injections can be repeated every four to six weeks, although sometimes patients find lasting relief in only one treatment.
- Ozone Injections: One of the only clinics in the Denver area to offer this therapy, Ozone injections of Ozone gas, often combined with oxygen, aim to stimulate healing and reduce pain. Known as Prolozone when combined with principles of prolotherapy, it’s believed to work through oxidation and anti-inflammatory effects. Research indicates it can provide short-term relief, particularly for mild to moderate osteoarthritis, and it naturally increases the body’s antioxidant and anti-inflammatory responses. Some studies have shown head-to-head improvement in pain compared to steroid injections. Ozone injections are repeated weekly for six weeks and then flow into a monthly maintenance regimen.
Add-Ons to Joint Injections for Greater Relief
We are able to add Ozone to many of our injections. We are also able to add Traumeel and Zeel, herbal anti-inflammatories, into the joint to optimize healing and improve cartilage. Each type of injection has its pros and cons, including effectiveness, duration of relief, cost, and potential side effects. Your Big Life provider may recommend layering different joint injections to optimize your treatment plan and provide maximum relief.
Click on the images to enlarge
