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.