- Hyaluronic acid: a component of the "synovial fluid", a fluid normally produced by our body that serves to reduce friction between the ends of the bones
- Collagen: a natural component of ligaments, tendons, capsules, bones, cartilage, and muscles
- Knee
- Shoulder
- Elbow
- Hip
- Wrist
- Ankle
- Small joints of hand and foot
- Inflammatory from trauma
- Overstimulation of the joint
- Osteoarticular diseases such as osteoarthritis, arthritis or cartilage wear
- Joint or periarticular infection
- Presence of blood effusion in the joints (hemarthrosis)
- Inability to suspend anticoagulant therapy for heart or coagulation disorders
- Sometimes reactions may occur such as:
- Pain of the treated joint
- Swelling at the injection site
- Redness at the infiltration site
- Feeling of warmth in the joint
What are joint injections?
Intra- and peri-articular infiltrations consist of the injection of a medication directly inside the joint or in the surrounding tissue.
The preparation is injected into the joint or, in certain conditions, into the surrounding (peri-articular) tissue to relieve pain and treat the underlying cause such as inflammation or tissue degeneration.
Which drugs are used?
The drugs that can be used are anti-inflammatory (corticosteroids) and pain-relieving (local anesthetics). Among the most common preparations we have:
When are they indicated?
Infiltrations are particularly indicated in case of pain in the joints of:
The causes of pain can vary:
Precisely in this latter case, that is for osteoarticular diseases, the infiltration of hyaluronic acid is particularly indicated because it restores the properties of the synovial fluid (contained inside the joint) which, thanks to this substance, resumes its normal "cushion" function, thus relieving pain.
Articular and periarticular infiltrations are not painful and can noticeably improve the pain you suffer from
Do I need to prepare in any way for the infiltrations?
Infiltrations do not require specific preparation but it is generally very useful to first perform some blood tests to assess coagulation and prevent hematomas after the procedure.
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When are they contraindicated?
In some cases it is not possible to perform infiltrations because they may not be safe for your health.
For example, in case of:
How should I behave after the infiltration?
After the infiltration it is important to keep the joint at rest for at least twenty-four hours and apply ice, making sure to place cloth layers between the ice and the skin to avoid injuries
Are there any side effects?
Side effects are few and mostly temporary.
They usually last from twenty-four to forty-eight hours and disappear spontaneously
Can infiltrations avoid surgery?
In cases of severe joint osteoarthritis, infiltrations can certainly improve pain and also the inflammatory state, thus delaying any surgical intervention which usually consists of replacing the joint with a prosthesis.
I will carefully evaluate your specific case and guide you along the most appropriate path for your health
