Joint Injections

Swollen, painful joints can leave you debilitated and reduce your quality of life. At Open Door Wellness Center, Melonie Parmley, DO, provides joint injections, including trigger point injections, for swift relief. Dr. Parmley dispenses remedies for a painful joint that has left you unable to enjoy life to the fullest. Call the office located in Great Falls, Montana, or schedule an appointment through the online portal today.

What are joint injections?

Joint injections involve the injection of medicine, typically in the form of a corticosteroid, into the site of a joint that experiences pain and discomfort. This pain results from swelling and inflammation, sometimes caused by an underlying condition such as arthritis. Corticosteroids work quickly to provide relief and alleviate related symptoms.

In some circumstances, a fluid build-up is the source of the discomfort. This fluid must be removed, a procedure known as joint aspiration, before Dr. Parmley can proceed with a joint injection. Removing excess fluid is essential so the medication quickly reaches any afflicted tissue.

Do I need joint injections?

The need for joint injections depends on your specific case. Additionally, the type of medicine used in the injection differs based on its root cause. Some common conditions that call for joint injections include:

• Gout
• Osteoarthritis
• Tendonitis
• Bursitis
• Severe, generalized joint pain

At Open Door Wellness Center, Dr. Parmley also offers trigger point injection therapy. This procedure treats painful areas of muscles that contain trigger points. Trigger point injection therapy is typically used to treat conditions like fibromyalgia and tension headaches. 

Many conditions that result in inflammation and swelling of the joints are autoimmune in nature. Because autoimmune conditions tend to be chronic, treatment may require frequent joint injections as symptoms flare up. Additionally, joint injections are temporary, with effects lasting up to a few months. How often you must seek additional treatments depends on the nature of your condition.

How are joint injections administered?

Joint injections are applied directly to the swollen area. Dr. Parmley first cleans the surrounding injection site. The removal of fluid occurs next, if applicable. An empty, sterile syringe is the main tool in this step. Once the fluid is removed, a fresh needle containing the corticosteroid inserts into the afflicted joint. You might experience some numbness if a local anesthetic was applied prior.

Are joint injections safe?

There is some risk associated with corticosteroid use, especially in prolonged cases. Medical providers heavily regulate the frequency and amount of joint injections as a result. Repeated use of cortisone-based joint injections include:

• Nerve damage
• Weakened tendons
• Thinning of the bone and surrounding soft tissue
• Cartilage damage
• Temporary increase in inflammation and blood sugar

It’s recommended that you limit joint injections to once every six weeks or up to four times per year. Additionally, there’s a possibility of an allergic reaction. It’s best to speak with your health care provider about your specific allergens before considering joint injections.

To learn more about joint injections and if they’re right for you, call the office located in Great Falls, Montana, or schedule an appointment online.