Major joints include your shoulders, hips, knees, elbows, and ankles, which are susceptible to increased pain as you age. Find relief from chronic joint pain by a minimally invasive treatment known as major joint injections offered by Midsouth Spine & Pain Associates (MSSP) in Corinth.
What are major joint injections?
Major joint injections, also known as corticosteroid joint injections or cortisone shots, offer pain relief through an in-office procedure that is minimally invasive and requires little to no recovery afterward. It may take 3 to 5 days for the medication to take effect, and results may last from several days to months. However, if you do not experience relief within 10 days, your pain management doctor serving Southwest Tennessee may recommend another injection. Our chronic pain specialist at MSSP recommends pairing other therapeutic modalities with major joint injections such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or a personalized exercise regimen to rehabilitate and strengthen the surrounding muscle and soft tissue to better support the affected joint.
The injections include a local anesthetic paired with a steroid medication that is delivered directly into the targeted area to relieve inflammation and pain.
Joint injections are often used to treat pain in the following areas:
- Shoulders
- Elbows
- Spine
- Hips
- Knees
- Ankles
Who should consider corticosteroid joint injections?
Patients who experience chronic joint pain, meaning pain that occurs most days or daily and lasts at least 6 months longer may be candidates for corticosteroid joint injections. Arthritis, wear and tear, or trauma can wear away soft tissue like cartilage that cushions the joints. Once the soft protective tissue thins or wears away completely, bone rubs on bone, which significantly damages the joint and causes pain. Therefore, if you have worn or damaged cartilage in a joint that causes you pain, you may be a good candidate for major joint injections.
Cortisone shots may be ideal for chronic pain associated with:
- Autoimmune diseases
- Arthritis
- Tendinitis
- Tendinopathy
- Bursitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tennis elbow
- Trigger finger or thumb
When to Get a Corticosteroid Joint Injection
Most pain specialists recommend corticosteroid joint injections as a “quick fix” when a patient needs relief fast. And while they are effective, cortisone shots shouldn’t be relied upon for long-term relief. Patients should not receive more than 3 cortisone shots in a single joint within a year, and no more than 6 shots in a year total (combining with other joints). Therefore, if you opt for a cortisone shot to relieve joint pain in Corinth, our pain specialist will also recommend other therapeutics for long-term relief.
However, while cortisone joint injections may be safe and effective for most individuals, they may not be ideal if you take blood-thinning medication or have a bleeding disorder. Be sure to share your complete medical history with your pain management specialist to determine the best treatment modality for you.
Risks and Complications
Risks and complications associated with cortisone injections for joint pain may vary, depending on the patient.
However, these risks may include:
- Pain at the injection site
- Swelling (temporary)
- Bruising
- Increased blood sugar levels in diabetics
- Discoloration or redness at the injection site
- Infections
- High blood pressure
- Fluid retention
Cortisone Joint Injections in Southwest Tennessee and North Mississippi, including Tupelo, MS and Jackson, TN
Cortisone joint injections can provide quick relief to chronic joint pain. Generally, the risks or complications from cortisone shots are low, considering their benefit to providing quick pain relief. However, you should plan on pairing this treatment with other therapeutics as a long-term solution to your pain. To learn more about major joint injections or find out if a cortisone shot will resolve your joint pain, contact Midsouth Spine & Pain Associates by calling (662) 284-8565.