Joint Injections

At Family Health Medical Services, we understand how much joint pain can hold you back. Luckily, there are options out there to relieve joint pain and get you moving again.

Corticosteroid injections

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about one in four adults with arthritis—15 million people—report experiencing severe joint pain. Corticosteroid (“cortisone”) injections are regularly used by providers across the globe to relieve this common pain and inflammation in the joints.

When you visit FHMS, our providers may recommend cortisone joint injections to treat various types of joint pain and discomfort, including:

knee pain
shoulder pain
hip pain
ankle pain
wrist pain
and more

Cortisone shots aren’t just helpful for arthritis. In fact, cortisone shots can be an effective for the treatment of other conditions, including:

Back pain
Bursitis
Gout
Osteoarthritis
Tendinitis

After a patient receives a cortisone injection, they may experience a temporary flare up in pain and inflammation. After 48 hours, however, they should experience joint pain relief that can last anywhere from a few days to more than 6 months.

What to Know Before Receiving a Joint Injection

Here are a few things to keep in mind before, during, and after you receive a joint injection:

Ask your doctor what medications and supplements you should avoid before your cortisone injection. Some medications such as blood thinners can cause excess bleeding and bruising after a joint injection. You may need to stop taking certain prescriptions for several days before your cortisone shot to reduce these risks.
Your provider may apply an anesthetic spray to numb the area where the needle will be inserted, but you might still experience feeling some pressure at the injection sight.
Some patients experience redness and a feeling of warmth in the chest and face after a cortisone shot.
Patients with diabetes might experience a temporary increase to their blood sugar levels after a cortisone shot.
Avoid overworking the injected joint for a day or two after your procedure.
Icing the injection site is ok, but avoid heating pads, baths, hot tubs, or warm whirlpools for are least two days.

Please note, most patients can receive only a limited amount of cortisone injections in a year—usually 3-4 times or fewer—depending on your condition. To avoid damage, most providers recommend that patients shouldn't get cortisone injections more often than every six weeks and usually not more than three or four times a year.

Book a Joint Injection Appointment

Many of the providers at Family Health Medical Services offer joint injections. Our convenient locations and same-day appointments help you get treatment faster, so you can get back to doing what you love. Book your first appointment or log into our Patient Portal to schedule an appointment.

FHMS also offers patients a range of virtual medical care services through our telemedicine program. Now you can get the care you need — wherever you may be. Contact us today to learn more.

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