How to Use Injections to Treat Arthritis
Corticosteroid injections can offer significant relief to swollen, inflamed joints. Rather than taking medications orally and hoping the right amounts reach the affected joint, an injection puts the medicine directly where the problem lies. Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatories and can bring weeks or months of pain-free days when injected into an arthritic joint. If you have an arthritic joint that hasn't responded well to other treatments, your doctor may recommend the use of injections to treat it. Read on to learn how to use injections to treat arthritis.
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Instructions
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Make sure the site of the injection is clean and free of sores or infections. You can't be injected if there are any problems at the injection site.
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Try to relax, and don't tense up your muscles around the place the injection site. If your muscles are tight, it's going to cause you significant discomfort when it's time for the injection.
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Expect an injection of local anesthetic first. This will numb the area around the joint, which will ease any discomfort you could experience from the main corticosteroid injection. The local anesthetic injection can be painful if given to quickly, so ask your doctor to go slow.
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Stay still while fluid is removed. This will only be done if there is a significant amount of swelling in the affected joint. Fluid buildup is most common in arthritis of the knee. It may take a few minutes for the doctor to get all the fluid out, so be patient. Don't be surprised if the doctor has to push on your joint a little to force out the last few drops of fluid.
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Prepare yourself for the corticosteroid injection. This will usually be given immediately after the removal of any fluid. The corticosteroid injection is quick and you may not even realize it's been given, especially if your joint is still numb from the anesthetic.
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Keep your joint as still as possible for the 24 to 48 hours immediately following the injection. This means staying off your feet if the injection was in the knee, hip or ankle. Resting the joint will prevent it from becoming irritated, which could interfere with the work of the corticosteroid.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't get more than three corticosteroid injections in the same joint in any given year. Frequent use of corticosteroid injections to treat arthritis can cause the muscles and tendons around the joint to break down and the bone to become brittle.
