Joint injections can be useful, both as a treatment for a painful joint, and/or to help diagnose a joint problem.

One type of injection for a painful, arthritic joint is visco-supplementation using hyaluronic acid. This is a series of 3 to 5 injections intended to restore some of the normal lubricating properties of joint fluid. The medication is derived from roosters and can give months of relief, especially in milder arthritis. Unfortunately, many of the patients most interested in treatment have more severe arthritis problems and are therefore less likely to be helped by these shots.

Cortisone or other steroid medications are typically given as a single injection rather than a series of shots. It usually relieves the pain and swelling of an arthritic joint but is also temporary, lasting weeks to several months. A local anesthetic is often given along with the steroid. This can help in diagnosing a problem: if a local anesthetic in the joint gives relief for several hours it confirms that the pain is related to the joint and not from problems outside the joint.

Your Orthopaedic doctor can help you decide if an injection is the right option for your pain.