Joint injections for pain relief in Encinitas, CA

Joint pain can greatly hinder your ability to enjoy every-day activities and reduce your quality of life. At Seaside Rheumatology in Encinitas, CA, Dr. Peter Lloyd works with patients to identify both traditional and natural therapies to relieve their joint pain. One of these treatments that can be highly effective at providing pain relief is joint injections. To learn more about this therapy and how it works, read on.

What are joint injections?

Joint injections are a procedure where therapeutic agents are injected into the joint space to relieve pain and reduce inflammation in the area. Dr. Lloyd is a skilled board-certified rheumatologist with years of experience in performing injections for effective pain relief while maximizing your comfort during the procedure. He uses ultrasound guidance to ensure that he is delivering the pain-relieving therapy to precisely the right location, and uses a small hypodermic needle to deliver the medication. Many patients experience rapid relief from their pain after the injections, which can last for months at a time.

In addition to providing relief from your symptoms so you are in less pain, another goal of joint injections is to minimize your pain enough that you can begin exercises and therapies to regain your range of motion and strength in the affected joints, which can have long-lasting benefits for your daily life. This is an important part of your treatment plan because repeated injections into the same joint are not typically recommended due to the risk of damage they can cause to the cartilage within the joint over time. Dr. Lloyd will discuss the optimal length to wait between injections based on your individual symptoms and the therapy that is being used.

Joint injections are a versatile treatment that can help provide pain relief to patients suffering from either acute or chronic pain. Patients with the following conditions, among others, may benefit from joint injections:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Osteoarthritis
• Psoriatic arthritis
• Gout and pseudogout
• Tendonitis
• Trigger finger
• De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
• Bursitis
• Neuritis

Joints that are good targets for injections include:

• Fingers
• Wrists
• Elbows
• Shoulders
• Toes
• Ankles
• Knees
• Hips
• Pelvis
• Spine

Types of joint injection therapies

There are several types of medications and natural therapies that can be used in joint injections. Dr. Lloyd will recommend one or more options for you to choose from based on what is causing your joint pain and the symptoms you are experiencing, in addition to your treatment preferences. At Seaside Rheumatology and Wellness Center, we offer the following therapies:

• Steroids: corticosteroids that are typically delivered with a numbing agent to the joint to relieve swelling and inflammation; these work by slowing down how rapidly the inflammatory cells accumulate in the joint and can be used in a variety of joints
• Euflexxa: a hyaluronic acid-based injection that is intended to relieve knee joint pain
• Synvisc: a knee joint injection that cushions and lubricates the joint to provide pain relief for up to six months at a time
• Orthovisc: a knee injection that is made from a material called hyaluronan that is similar to the fluid that naturally surrounds the joints in the body
• Zeel and Traumeel: a homeopathic option for patients who are seeking a more natural injection option

After your injection, Dr. Lloyd may advise that you avoid strenuous activity for up to 48 hours. If you experience pain in the injection site, over-the-counter pain relievers and ice are typically sufficient to manage it. While side effects are rare and joint injections are usually well-tolerated by patients who are good candidates, Dr. Lloyd will discuss the potential side effects with you prior to the treatment and answer any questions that you have.

Relief from joint pain

If you are suffering from acute or chronic joint pain, it is important to know that you have hope—there are effective treatment options available. Dr. Peter Lloyd understands that no two patients are alike, and will work with you to identify what triggers your pain, as well as which treatment options provide the most relief for you. To start your path towards freedom from joint pain with a comprehensive treatment strategy, call Seaside Rheumatology and Wellness Center today! Our Encinitas, CA office is conveniently located and serves the greater San Diego area, and can be reached at 760-509-2429.

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