What are injections for arthritis and joint pain?

Joint injections insert a variety of helpful substances directly into your joints or the surrounding ligaments and tendons. They can reduce inflammation, manage your pain, and may have the potential to heal supporting structures.

Injections shouldn’t be viewed as standalone treatments, but rather a means to an end.

You have to also do the work of rehab, meaning physical or occupational therapy, to get results.

Whether you have pain in one joint from an injury (or just wear and tear), or you’ve developed osteoarthritis in multiple joints, injections could help. Injections may be appropriate for joints throughout your body, including your knee, hip, shoulder, ankle, sacroiliac (SI) joint, and facet (spine) joints.

Types of injections for joint pain

Your doctor will recommend a type of injection based on your needs. The available injectables range from the well-known corticosteroids to cells collected from your own body.