Joint Injections

(sometimes referred to as T.P.I.)

We understand the word “injection” can sound a little scary. THESE ARE NOT CORTIZONE SHOTS! DON’T WORRY! THESE ARE NOT HARMFUL AND DO NOT BREAKDOWN GOOD TISSUES. It’s exactly the opposite. Here are some medical facts about the injections:

  • Trigger points (knots on your neck, back, shoulders, legs, feet) do not necessarily “hurt” until they are palpated (pressed on). But they do send pain throughout your body and cause tremendous “tightness” and “stress.” These “knots” occur from everyday life and are not always caused by an injury. Everyday strain and poor posture mostly contribute to trigger points.
  • Trigger point injections turn off the tight muscles so you can get an incredible adjustment without the tight muscles fighting against the adjustment and making you sorer.
  • Trigger point injections make the adjustment last longer which means a speedy process for you to get out of pain and on your way to doing what you love without discomfort.
  • Our team of medical providers will usually recommend trigger point injections before adjustments for about the first 15 visits.
  • The needle is very small, it’s a small sting if you even feel it, and you barely bleed at all, if any.
  • Trigger Point Injections take 2-3 minutes each visit and make the world of difference for the outcome of your success.

What are Joint Injections?

Joint injections are an integrative approach to treating inflammation of the joints that arises as a result of inflammatory diseases such as arthritis, gout, and injury. This is also sometimes referred to as injection therapy.

Our joint injections are minimally invasive and prescribed to patients who do not see relief of pain from traditional forms of treatment such as physical therapy or anti-inflammatory medications.

Common Symptoms We See in Our Patients

Joint injections can be administered throughout the body, depending on the joint in question. The most common joint injections are to treat arthritis, especially osteoarthritis of the knee.

In addition, joint injections can be used to treat the subtalar joint in the foot, the temporomandibular joint in the jaw, as well as joints experiencing bursitis and tendonitis.

Patients experiencing joint pain tend to have the following accompanying symptoms:

  • inflammation of the joint
  • chronic pain
  • weakness of the muscles
  • decrease in mobility, depending on the joint in question
  • stiffness

What is Causing My Need for Joint Injections

We prescribe joint injection therapy after patients have tried traditional forms of treatment like medications and physical therapy without much success. Joint injections may be prescribed to you if you experience joint pain as a result of:

  • Arthritis
  • Bursitis or Tendonitis
  • Cartilage tears
  • Injury or trauma to the joint
  • Repetitive use or strain

Injecting different drugs such as anesthetics, hyaluronic acid, lidocaine, and corticosteroids has proven to enhance pain relief in our patients that choose this therapeutic form of pain management.

How Will You Treat My Joint Pain

Joint injection treatments are minimally invasive outpatient procedures. We use real-time ultrasound imaging to see the location of the joint and where to place the injection directly into the joint.

Our procedures take less than an hour. The quick procedure will begin with the patient lying on an X-ray table with the area to be injected cleaned with an antibacterial cleanser. The injection site is numbed and a contrasting dye is injected to help locate the area to be injected. The drug of choice is carefully injected into the joint.

Patients report feeling pain relief within a few days of the procedure. Many return to their regular routine immediately after their joint injection therapy. 

Depending on your symptoms, current health, and past medical history, you may require more than one joint injection treatment to see drastic pain relief. The effects of a single joint injection can last for a few weeks up to several months.


If you are dealing with chronic joint pain and want to learn more about integrated approaches to improve your condition, call Scott Wagner Integrated Medicine in Charlottesville, VA, at (434) 978-4888 to learn more.


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Scott Wagner Integrated Medicine

Monday:

9:30 am-12:30 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Tuesday:

9:30 am-12:30 pm

2:00 pm-6:00 pm

Wednesday:

9:00 am-12:30 pm

2:00 pm-5:00 pm

Thursday:

9:00 am-12:30 pm

2:00 pm-6:00 pm

Friday:

7:30 am-12:00 pm

Saturday:

Closed

Sunday:

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