Fluoroscopic guided injections deliver medicine to the joint while using an x-ray image. Steroid shots are used mostly for therapeutic reasons and combine a steroid and numbing agent. The purpose of these injections is to alleviate pain and discomfort in the joints.

If you have been living with joint pain and are not responding to conventional treatment methods, it may be time to consider steroid injections. Let’s discuss more about what these shots entail and if they really work for joint pain.

What are Steroid Joint Injections Used For?

Corticosteroid shots temporary relieve pain and discomfort in inflamed joints. It’s a minimally invasive procedure that can also be used as a diagnostic tool to verify that the pain is coming from the joint. Fluoroscopic injections are generally used to treat joint disorders such as arthritis, bursitis, plantar fasciitis, tendonitis, and gout.  

Here are some of the joints that these injections work best for:

• Hip joints
• Knee, ankle, and foot joints
• Shoulder, elbow, or hand joints
• Facet joints in the spine
• Lower back and buttock joints

How Effective are Fluoroscopic Injections?

Steroid injections are one of the most effective, non-surgical ways to decrease pain and inflammation in the joints. They are generally well-tolerated and carry very little risk. Getting these injections may also decrease the need for oral steroids, which are known to have more side effects.

As long as the joint is the reason behind your pain and discomfort, you should see a marked improvement after having an injection done. Everyone is different, but you can expect to see pain decrease in two to seven days. This comfort should continue for several months, and you may be referred to a physical therapist in the meantime. Injections can be repeated, though the number of shots are limited.

Steroid Injections Work Best When Combined with Other Therapies

It’s important to point out that fluoroscopic injections do not cure joint problems. They are most effective when used as part of a treatment regimen that may include anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and supportive devices. Talk to a doctor or pain management clinic about using steroid injections as part of an overall treatment plan.

Jersey Rehab and Pain Management provides fluoroscopic guided injections to individuals suffering from joint pain. To learn more about our therapies and how they promote a pain-free lifestyle, contact us today at one of our four convenient locations.