Injections

Non-surgical treatments for arthritis include injections into the painful joint. The two most common types of injections for arthritis are steroid injections and hyaluronic acid injections (viscosupplementation). It is important to note that joint injections are intended to reduce pain symptoms from arthritis such that patients can participate in physical therapy exercise and everyday activities in order to stretch and strengthen the arthritic joint.

Medical illustration of the composition of a PRP injection

Article

Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection Procedure

Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injections are derived from a sample of the patient’s own blood. These injections contain plasma with higher concentration platelets than what is normally found in blood. PRP injections attempt to take advantage of the blood’s natural healing properties to repair damaged cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles, or even bone.

Abstract outline of a body with the elbow receiving an injection

Article

Potential Pros and Cons of PRP Injections

While platelet-rich plasma therapy can be an effective treatment for arthritis, there are some drawbacks to PRP.

prp composition

Article

PRP Injection Preparation and Composition

What is a platelet-rich plasma injection? This article offers an in-depth explanation of how PRP injection is made, and how it can be used to treat arthritis.

Hands holding separated blood and syringe in test tube at research laboratory

Article

Stem Cell Therapy for Arthritis

Although stem cell therapy is not a standard practice, many doctors are using the procedure to treat arthritis in the knee and other joints.

Illustration prolotherapy injection in the knee

Article

Therapeutic Injections for Knee Arthritis

Cortisone, hyaluronic acid, PRP, stem cell, and prolotherapy are all therapeutic injections that may provide relief from knee osteoarthritis symptoms.

Lab technician holding blood test tube.

Article

What Are Stem Cells?

Because stem cells can divide and duplicate themselves, and develop into different types of cells, researchers are interested in using them to treat conditions like arthritis.

A syringe labeled cortisone

Article

What Is Cortisone?

Cortisone is a man-made version of the hormone cortisol. Cortisone comes in oral, injectable, and topical forms to treat inflammation caused by autoimmune diseases, arthritis, skin conditions, and more.

Illustration of hyaluronic acid injection and molecular composition

Article

What Is Hyaluronic Acid?

Hyaluronic acid is a gel-like substance that is present in the tissues of the joints, skin, and eyes. Hyaluronic acid can also be commercially produced from bacteria and animal tissues for medical purposes.

Syringe drawing a cortisone injection from a vial.

Article

What to Know Before Getting a Cortisone Injection

While cortisone shots can ease joint inflammation and arthritis pain, repeated injections can damage soft tissue. Understand the limits of cortisone and how it fits into a larger treatment plan.

Knee injection illustration

Article

When to Consider Therapeutic Injections for Knee Arthritis Pain

There are several therapeutic injections that may be recommended to help alleviate osteoarthritis symptoms. Find out some factors that can help to determine when why a certain injection may be recommended.