Joint injections for pain relief.
Fast relief for knee, shoulder, hip, and other joint pain — corticosteroid or natural Traumeel injections, delivered right in the office.
What are joint injections?
Joint injections are a quick, in-office procedure where medication is delivered directly into a painful joint. We use two main types: corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation and pain, or Traumeel injections — a natural, plant-based treatment that reduces inflammation with fewer side effects and can be repeated as often as needed. The entire procedure takes just a few minutes, and most patients experience significant relief within days.
If you're dealing with arthritis, bursitis, tendonitis, or joint pain that's limiting your daily activities, joint injections can help you avoid surgery and get back to living your life.
Part of comprehensive care
Joint injections are one component of our family medicine practice. We also offer trigger point injections for muscle pain and medical acupuncture for chronic pain management.
Joints we commonly treat
Knee
Arthritis, meniscus tears, bursitis.
Shoulder
Rotator cuff issues, frozen shoulder, bursitis.
Hip
Arthritis, bursitis, labral tears.
Elbow
Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, arthritis.
Wrist & Hand
Carpal tunnel, arthritis, trigger finger.
Ankle, Foot & Spine
Arthritis, plantar fasciitis, facet and sacroiliac joint pain.
How we decide whether an injection is the right move
An injection is a good tool at the right moment and a poor substitute for a diagnosis. Before anything goes into a joint, we work out what's actually wrong with it:
- A proper joint exam. Range of motion, stability, where exactly it's tender, and which movements reproduce the pain — enough to separate arthritis from bursitis from tendonitis, which respond differently.
- Reviewing what's already been done. Prior X-rays and MRIs, physical therapy, past injections and how long they lasted. A joint that got three months from the last steroid injection tells us something useful.
- Checking whether it's really the joint. Hip pain is often the low back. Shoulder pain is often the neck. Knee pain in a runner is often the IT band. Injecting the wrong structure buys nothing.
- Screening for inflammatory arthritis. Multiple joints, morning stiffness lasting over an hour, or swelling in a pattern that doesn't fit wear-and-tear means labs and a rheumatology referral — not a steroid shot.
- Considering the load on the joint. For knees and hips, body weight and muscle strength change how long any injection lasts, which is why weight management and strengthening are part of the conversation rather than an afterthought.
- Knowing when to send you to a surgeon. A locking knee, a large rotator cuff tear, or end-stage arthritis needs an orthopedic opinion. We'll say so rather than sell you another injection.
Avoid surgery. Get back to your life.
Call today, and we'll do our best to see you within 24–48 hours.
Your options, compared
There's no single right answer for every joint. What we recommend depends on how inflamed the joint is, how often you're likely to need treatment, and what you're trying to get back to doing.
Corticosteroid Injections
Powerful anti-inflammatory relief for an acute flare or a badly inflamed joint. Typically 6 weeks to 6 months of relief, usually taking 2–3 days to reach full effect. Repeat injections into the same joint are spaced — generally no more often than every 3–6 months, and further apart when we can manage it.
Traumeel Injections
A natural, plant-based anti-inflammatory with no significant side effects, which can be repeated as often as needed. Often the better choice when you'd otherwise be hitting the ceiling on steroid frequency, or when relief tends to be more immediate than gradual.
What We Try Alongside
Activity modification, strengthening and physical therapy, topical or oral anti-inflammatories, and medical acupuncture — because the injection buys a window, and what you do inside that window determines how long the relief lasts.
When Surgery Is the Answer
Mechanical locking, significant instability, a large tear, or end-stage arthritis where the joint space is gone. We refer to orthopedics rather than stringing you along with injections that were never going to hold.
Whichever we use, the point of an injection is to bring the pain down far enough that you can move again — and moving again is what actually keeps the joint working. We build the strengthening plan into the visit rather than leaving you to figure it out once the shot wears off.
Related pain management care
Trigger Point Injections
When the problem is muscle rather than joint — similar procedure, different target, and frequently the real source of pain around a joint.
Learn moreMedical Acupuncture for Pain
Needle-based relief that works alongside injections or as an alternative when you'd rather not repeat a steroid.
Learn moreChronic Disease Management
Ongoing care for arthritis and other conditions driving persistent joint pain, rather than treating each flare in isolation.
Learn moreJoint injection FAQs
Does the injection hurt?
Most patients describe the injection as a brief pinch or pressure. The entire procedure takes just a few minutes, and any soreness at the injection site typically resolves within a day or two.
How long does the relief last?
It varies by person and condition. Corticosteroid injections typically provide relief for 6 weeks to 6 months. Traumeel injections can be repeated as often as needed since they're natural.
What's the difference between Traumeel and corticosteroid injections?
Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medications that provide strong, fast relief but can only be used every 3–6 months. Traumeel is a natural, plant-based treatment with no significant side effects that can be repeated as often as needed.
Are joint injections covered by insurance?
Most insurance plans cover joint injections when medically necessary. We verify your coverage before your appointment and let you know your expected out-of-pocket cost.
What should I do after the injection?
Rest the joint for 24–48 hours after injection. Avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting during this time, and apply ice if there's soreness. After that initial rest period, gradually return to normal activity as tolerated — you'll get specific instructions based on which joint we inject.
How soon will I feel relief?
Many patients notice improvement within 24–48 hours. Corticosteroids may take 2–3 days to reach full effect as the inflammation settles; Traumeel often gives more immediate relief. It's normal to feel slightly sore at the injection site for a day or two before the benefit shows up — that isn't a sign it hasn't worked.
Can I drive myself home afterward?
In most cases, yes — joint injections don't affect your ability to drive. The exception is an ankle or foot injection, where temporary soreness can make pedal control uncomfortable. We'll tell you in advance if you should arrange a ride, but most patients drive themselves.
How many injections will I need?
It depends on the joint and how you respond. Some patients get lasting relief from a single injection. Others do better with a series of 2–3 spaced a few weeks apart. Traumeel can be repeated as needed; corticosteroid injections into the same joint are spaced considerably further apart. If a joint keeps needing injections at shortening intervals, that's information — it usually means it's time to reassess the diagnosis or get an orthopedic opinion, not simply to inject again.
Contact MyPremierMD Today
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