What Should You Know About Intra-Articular Injections for Joint Pain?

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic, degenerative, and progressive disease that affects the knee joint. This condition is caused by the breakdown of joint cartilage, which results in the loss of joint space and the growth of new bone on the joint surface.

This causes muscle and tendon weakness that limits physical activity, lowers quality of life, and decreases work productivity, especially in the elderly.

Knee osteoarthritis can interfere with overall body function and is difficult to treat. Joint pain that limits daily activities can also negatively impact body image and emotional health.

What are the symptoms?

• Stiffness and swelling in the knee joint and surrounding areas, making it difficult to bend or straighten the knee.
• Pain, especially in the morning or after sitting and sleeping.
• Pain often recurs after doing heavy activities.
• A clicking or cracking sound (crepitus) during certain movements.
• Increased pain, particularly in cold weather.

Common treatments for osteoarthritis joint pain include:

• Weight management, to relieve joint pressure.
• Exercise and muscle-strengthening programs, such as walking, cycling, and swimming. These aim to improve joint function, increase joint range of motion, strengthen muscles, and minimize stress on them.
• Physical therapy and physical modalities like heat or cold compresses.
• Orthotics, including knee braces for stabilization.
• Oral medications, such as analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs.
• Intra-articular injections.

Surgery is considered the last resort for severe cases when non-surgical methods are no longer effective.

What is an intra-articular injection?

Intra-articular injections are a treatment option for relieving joint pain, particularly in the knees and shoulders.

This procedure involves injecting medication directly into the joint to reduce inflammation and pain while improving joint function. However, its effectiveness depends on the patient's condition and the degree of OA.

These injections are commonly used to treat joint pain in various joints, including the knees, shoulders, hips, ankles, hands, and fingers.

They are highly effective for acute and chronic knee pain caused by conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and cartilage or meniscus tears.

Intra-articular injections are typically recommended when conservative treatments, such as anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, activity modifications, or cold compresses, fail to provide adequate results.

Pain during the procedure: Injections can cause discomfort during treatment and for several hours afterward. To minimize pain, your doctor may administer a local anesthetic before the injection. However, this discomfort is usually temporary and can be managed with proper post-procedure care.

Types of intra-articular injections

1. Corticosteroids

Corticosteroids provide rapid relief of inflammation in the knee or shoulder joint by preventing the production of inflammatory cells. This method is commonly used for osteoarthritis, acute gout, and knee rheumatoid arthritis.

Corticosteroid injections are typically administered at least three months apart and up to four times a year. Recovery time varies depending on the type of steroid taken. Following this injection, hyaluronic acid and secretome injections are given at two-week intervals for long-term recovery.

2. Hyaluronic acid

Hyaluronic acid is a natural joint lubricant. In osteoarthritis, levels of this substance can decrease and worsen the condition. Hyaluronic acid injections can help reduce pain and improve joint mobility.

3. Secretome

The secretome is a factor secreted by cells, tissues, or organisms into the extracellular space under specific conditions and times, including genetic material, growth factors, new blood vessel formation factors, and others. It has been found that the anti-inflammatory properties of secretome can help regenerate injured joint cartilage due to early OA.

Patients will feel less discomfort following the injection than with hyaluronic acid injections. Patients will receive injections three times at two-week intervals.

**

Intra-articular injections treat joint pain and stiffness by delivering medication directly to the joint, minimizing systemic side effects. They might be an important part of your treatment plan.

Having osteoarthritis is certainly unpleasant because it limits mobility and daily activities. However, by knowing the causative factors, you can reduce the risk.

If you are experiencing joint pain, visit the GWS Medika Clinic, a health clinic in Jakarta. Our doctors will provide an accurate diagnosis and the right solution for your condition. Don’t wait – visit the GWS Medika Clinic to get treatment and regain your mobility!