Degenerative Joint Disease Specialists

How Do Steroid Injections Work?

Steroid injections are used to help relieve the pain and discomfort associated with a variety of injuries. The steroids act as an anti-inflammatory agent and reduces the pain that is caused by pressure placed on the nerves surrounding the injury. The steroids are mixed together with either a saline based solution or one that contains local anesthetic (numbing medicine) and then injected into the affected area. The solution can be used as an epidural and injected into the dura mater of the spine or into a joint that is severely inflamed or damaged from an injury.

How Do Stem Cell Injections Help Degenerative Joint Disease?

Stem cells are autogenic. This means they can take on the form of whatever type of cell they are introduced. As a blank slate of sorts, stem cells can become any type of cell in the body. Once they take on the characteristics of the cells closest to them, they can become bone cells, cartilage cells, muscle cells, and the list goes on. Introducing a stem cell matrix into a damaged joint can help repair the damage that has been caused by an accident or illness. The process takes time and may only be able to reverse a portion of the damage, but will also provide a certain degree of relief when it comes to pain and inflammation.

How do Lubricants Help Degenerative Joint Disease?

Joint lubricant injections involve injecting a lubricant directly into the joint to help alleviate pain and suffering, as well as improve function. Also known as viscosupplementation, this type of procedure normally calls for the use of hyaluronic acid. An extremely thick, jelly-like substance, hyaluronic acid is injected into the problem joint. The substance acts as a lubricant making it easier for the joint to move and may reduce the inflammation and pain that is caused by the injury. This provides effective relief for individuals who are not good candidates for surgery.