Millions of Americans suffer from joint pain for a variety of reasons. This pain can range from mild to extreme and even debilitating. Whether it’s from an injury or sprain, arthritis, or general swelling, joint pain is an extremely unpleasant symptom. From your knees and elbows to your lower back, Revive Medical Center offers joint injections that can help to relieve your pain. These simple, easy injections provide you with the relief you need without the stress and expense of surgery.
What are Joint Injections?
One of the types of joint injections we provide is called SI injections, or sacroiliac joint injections. This procedure involves applying a local anesthetic and a steroid medication that is directly injected into the sacroiliac joint. Numbing medication is applied to make the process painless. You should experience long-lasting pain relief once it has taken effect. Before you schedule any joint injection procedure, make sure you are currently not on any blood-thinning medication and that you’re not hypertensive (have very high blood pressure).
Are There Risks to Joint Injections?
While generally safe, there are a few mild risks when it comes to joint injections. Some of these risks include possible infection, bleeding, or an allergic reaction. You could also experience temporary numbness or weakness in the area where you receive the injection. This is typically caused by the numbing medication or anesthetic, and it is only short-term. In addition, you could potentially experience an increase in pain for a short time after the injection, but it should subside shortly thereafter.
How to Prepare for Joint Injections
Before the day of the injections, you should avoid eating any solid food or drinking any fluids after midnight the day prior. If you are currently on prescription medication, you may take them as directed with just a small amount of water. Discontinue use of any blood thinners such as Warfarin or Coumadin before the procedure. On the day of the procedure, your doctor will help you prepare for the injections.
What Happens After the Injections?
Right after the injections, you may notice an immediate improvement of pain. This is often caused by the local numbing medication, and once it wears off, you could have a bit of soreness located at the injection site. Your pain could also worsen for a day or two afterward, but this is just temporary. The injected medication can take a few days to take effect and provide you with real pain relief. In the meantime, you can use an ice pack and apply it directly to the injection site three or four times per day. In addition, you may also take any pain medication that you usually take.
