Bone & Joint Staff • June 23, 2022
3 Injection Options to Treat Arthritis
Arthritis is a term used to refer to inflammation, pain and disease impacting the joints. It is estimated that as many as half of all Americans over the age of 65 have arthritis in some form, with women being more likely than men to suffer from the condition.
When managing arthritis, your doctor will likely have you deploy an arsenal of therapies and treatments to fight your pain, including diet and exercise, physical therapy and oral medications. There are several injectable treatments as well that can quickly deliver relief directly into the arthritis-affected joints. The three main injectable treatment options are corticosteroids, hyaluronic acid and platelet-rich plasma.
Types of Injectable Treatments for Arthritis
- Corticosteroids - This injection is a combination of a corticosteroid (or simply, a “steroid”) and a numbing agent, and is ideal for people with very painful or inflamed joints who need fast, temporary relief. Joints treated with corticosteroids include the ankle, elbow, hip, knee, shoulder and small joints in the hands, feet, spine and wrists. Relief using this technique usually lasts about a month.
- Hyaluronic Acid - A natural lubricant that breaks down in joints affected by arthritis, these injections can lead to up to six months of relief and are best for those suffering from moderate osteoarthritis. Hyaluronic acid injections are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in knees only.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma - This injection method involves using your own blood to inject into your joints for pain relief. After your blood is drawn, it is prepared by spinning in a centrifuge that separates the desired parts. What’s injected back into your joints contains a large number of proteins and platelets that have anti-inflammatory effects. Symptom relief using this method typically lasts longer than steroid injections, and studies have even shown it to be equally effective or better than hyaluronic acid injections.
Treating Arthritis in Baton Rouge
If you are suffering from arthritis and want to explore arthritis treatment options including injections, contact the Bone & Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge today, and request an appointment with one of our many orthopedic physicians.
BATON ROUGE, LA, January 30, 2025 – Effective April 1, 2025, four distinguished orthopedic surgeons from The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge will transition to Baton Rouge Orthopedic Clinic (BROC), continuing their commitment to providing high-quality orthopedic care. The physicians joining BROC are: 1. Joseph "Jeb" Broyles, MD – Specializes in joint replacement surgery, knee arthroscopy, and cartilage regeneration. 2. Arthur "Art" Hess, MD – Specializes in trauma, hip, knee, and shoulder reconstruction, and total joint replacement surgery. 3. Mat hew "Matt" Mazoch, M D – Specializes in shoulder and knee surgery. 4. Alan Schroeder, MD – Specializes in sports medicine and shoulder surgery. Beginning April 1, 2025, these physicians will operate under BROC's umbrella while continuing to see patients at The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge's current location, 7301 Hennessy Blvd. Eventually, the doctors plan to transition to BROC's campus on Bluebonnet Blvd. The estimated timeline for that move is Summer/Fall 2025. In addition, Dr. Patrick Hall will be transitioning to his own practice, Hall Podiatry, that will continue to provide quality podiatric care to patients. Dr. Hall will continue to practice at 7301 Hennessy Blvd. until May/June 2025. After that date, patients may see him at a new nearby location. Dr. Christopher Belleau is transitioning to The Neuromedical Center in Baton Rouge. Patients are encouraged to continue scheduling appointments at The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge using the current process for the foreseeable future. To ensure a seamless transition, The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge will provide detailed information to patients in the coming weeks, including the secure transfer of medical records and continuity of care. The health and well-being of patients remain the top priority, and The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge, BROC, and Hall Podiatry are working together to make this transition as smooth as possible while maintaining uninterrupted care. For more information or to schedule an appointment, patients can contact The Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge at 225-766-0050 or by visiting bjcbr.com . Patients can also reach BROC at 225-924-2424 or by visiting brortho.com .
Dr. Gerard Murtagh will retire from Bone and Joint Clinic of Baton Rouge on March 12, 2025, after a long and distinguished career dedicated to advancing orthopedic surgery.
Sometimes, joint replacement is the best course of action, even when conservative measures like medicine, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes might be helpful. Knowing when a joint replacement is necessary can help you take prompt action and improve your quality of life.
