Author: Mr Oliver Eaton BSc (Hons), PG.Cert – Orthopaedic Specialist
Reviewed by: Mr William Sharples BSc (Hons) – Pain Management Expert
Last Updated: September 2025
Introduction to Joint Injections
Arthritis can cause persistent pain, swelling, and stiffness that limits your daily life. For many people, oral medications and lifestyle changes are not enough. Injections for arthritis are a proven way to target pain and inflammation directly at the source, offering relief when other treatments fall short. This article explores the most common arthritis injection options, their benefits and risks, and how innovative treatments like prolotherapy can help you regain mobility and quality of life.
Types of Arthritis and Steroid Injections
A joint injection is a procedure involving the injection of medication directly into a joint to manage pain and inflammation. There are several types of injections used to treat arthritis, each with unique benefits and indications. The most common include:
- Corticosteroid (Steroid) Injections: These injections deliver powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly into the affected joint. A steroid injection is another term for a corticosteroid injection. They can provide rapid pain relief and reduce swelling, but repeated use may weaken cartilage and increase infection risk (NHS, 2023).
- Hyaluronic Acid Injections: Also known as viscosupplementation, these injections add lubrication to the joint by improving the viscosity of the joint fluid, mimicking natural synovial fluid. They are most often used for knee osteoarthritis and may help reduce pain and improve movement in some patients (Arthritis Foundation, 2023).
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections: PRP uses a concentration of your own blood platelets to promote healing and reduce inflammation. PRP contains growth factors that promote tissue repair. Some regenerative injections may also use cells derived from bone marrow or fat tissue to stimulate healing. Evidence is growing, but results can vary and more research is needed.
- Biologic Injections: For inflammatory arthritis (like rheumatoid arthritis), biologic drugs may be injected to target specific immune pathways. These are usually prescribed by a specialist.
Advanced joint injections, such as PRP or stem cell therapies, are often performed by an orthopaedic surgeon.
Hyaluronic Acid
Hyaluronic acid is a naturally occurring substance in the body that plays a vital role in keeping joints healthy and moving smoothly. Acting as both a lubricant and a shock absorber, it helps protect the cartilage and maintain joint function. When arthritis affects a joint, the natural levels of hyaluronic acid can decrease, leading to increased joint pain and stiffness. Hyaluronic acid injections, also known as viscosupplementation, are designed to restore this important fluid directly into the affected joint. These injections are most commonly used for knee osteoarthritis but can also benefit those with rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis in other joints. Many patients experience significant relief from joint pain, improved movement, and better overall joint function after treatment. For those seeking an option beyond oral medications, hyaluronic acid injections can provide pain relief and help maintain an active lifestyle.
Hand Arthritis Injections
Hand arthritis can make everyday tasks challenging, but hand arthritis injections offer a minimally invasive way to manage pain and inflammation in the affected joints. These injections typically involve delivering corticosteroids or hyaluronic acid directly into the joint or surrounding soft tissue, providing rapid pain relief and helping to reduce inflammation. By targeting the source of arthritis pain, hand arthritis injections can improve joint function and make it easier to perform daily activities. They are often used alongside other treatments, such as physical therapy and lifestyle changes, to maximize results and address symptoms from multiple angles. Whether you’re dealing with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or psoriatic arthritis in your hands, these injections can be an effective part of your treatment plan, helping to relieve pain and restore function in the affected joints.
Who Can Benefit from Arthritis Injections?
Injections are often recommended for people with moderate arthritis or severe pain that is not controlled by oral medications, physical therapy, or lifestyle changes. They may be used for:
- One joint or multiple arthritis affected joints, such as the knee, hip, shoulder, ankle, wrist, or small joints
- Osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or post-traumatic arthritis
- Flares of pain and swelling that limit daily activities
- Patients who are not ready for or cannot have surgery
A thorough assessment by a health professional is essential to determine the best injection option for your needs.
What to Expect During and After an Injection
Most arthritis injections are performed in a clinic setting. The skin is cleaned, and a local anaesthetic may be used to minimize discomfort. The medication is injected directly into the joint using ultrasound guidance for accuracy; ultrasound scanning is used to visualize the joint and guide the injection precisely to the affected area. You may feel some pressure or mild pain during the procedure, but it is usually brief.
After the injection, you may be advised to rest the joint for 24-48 hours. Some people experience immediate pain relief after the injection, while others notice improvement over several days. Side effects are generally mild but can include temporary pain, swelling, or bruising at the injection site.
Risks and Considerations
While joint injections are generally considered safe and effective, it’s important to be aware of potential risks and considerations. Complications such as infection, bleeding, or nerve damage can occur at the injection site, though these are rare when the procedure is performed by an experienced healthcare professional. Not everyone is a suitable candidate for joint injections—those with certain medical conditions, like bleeding disorders or active infections, may need to explore other options. Before proceeding, it’s essential to discuss your medical history and any concerns with your healthcare professional to ensure joint injections are appropriate for you. Following post-injection instructions carefully can help minimize risks and promote the best possible outcome. Regular follow-up appointments allow your healthcare professional to monitor your progress, address any side effects, and adjust your treatment plan as needed to keep your joints healthy and pain-free.
Treatment Options
While steroid and hyaluronic acid injections are the most common, other options are available for those seeking longer-lasting or regenerative results. Injections are typically considered when other treatments do not provide sufficient relief or fail to ease pain adequately. These treatments focus on relieving pain, reducing inflammation, and supporting improved function of the joint. Injections are often used alongside other medicines as part of a comprehensive arthritis management plan.
Prolotherapy
In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat arthritis. Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and regenerative benefits.
Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles. This has been shown to stimulate the production of collagen cells, the small cells needed to help with arthritis. Prolotherapy is also being explored as a regenerative medicine approach for treating hand arthritis and chronic tendon problems such as tennis elbow.
As prolotherapy is helping to treat the root cause of arthritis, it is deemed to be a permanent fix, preventing the symptoms from returning.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this section is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Prolotherapy may not be suitable for everyone, and outcomes can vary. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional regarding your specific medical condition or treatment options. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information you have read here.
Case Studies
Case Study 1: Mary, a 65-year-old with knee osteoarthritis, received a series of steroid injections for pain flares. While she experienced temporary relief, her pain returned after a few months. She then tried prolotherapy and noticed a significant, longer-lasting reduction in pain and improved mobility. Early intervention with injections can also help prevent joint damage in cases like Mary’s.
Case Study 2: Tom, a 52-year-old with shoulder arthritis, was unable to sleep due to pain. After a hyaluronic acid injection, he reported smoother movement and less pain for several months. He now combines injections with physiotherapy for ongoing relief. Tom noticed his symptoms improve gradually as the treatment took effect.
Case Study 3: Linda, a 58-year-old with rheumatoid arthritis in her hands, received biologic injections prescribed by her rheumatologist, whom her doctor helped her connect with. She also benefited from prolotherapy for persistent thumb pain, allowing her to return to gardening.
FAQs
How long do arthritis injections last?
Steroid injections may provide relief for weeks to several months. Hyaluronic acid injections can last up to six months. Prolotherapy aims for longer-term or permanent improvement by addressing the root cause.
Are arthritis injections safe?
Most injections are safe when performed by a qualified practitioner. Risks include infection, bleeding, allergic reaction, and, with repeated steroid use, cartilage damage.
How many injections can I have?
Steroid injections are usually limited to 3-4 per year in the same joint to avoid side effects. Prolotherapy and hyaluronic acid injections may be repeated as recommended by your clinician.
Do injections hurt?
Most people experience only mild discomfort. Local anesthetic is often used to minimize pain during the procedure.
When should I consider prolotherapy?
Prolotherapy is a good option if you want to address the underlying cause of arthritis pain, especially if you have not responded to other injections or want to avoid repeated steroid use.
Can injections cure arthritis?
Injections do not cure arthritis but can provide significant symptom relief. Prolotherapy may offer longer-term improvement by stimulating tissue repair.
What are the alternatives to injections?
Alternatives include oral medications, physical therapy, weight management, bracing, and, in severe cases, surgery.
Conclusion
Arthritis injections can provide targeted, effective relief for joint pain and inflammation. While steroid and hyaluronic acid injections are widely used, regenerative options like prolotherapy are gaining popularity for their long-term benefits. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional to determine the best treatment plan for your arthritis and lifestyle.
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Author Bio
Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating arthritis, with patients travelling to see him from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with arthritis and providing effective treatment options to alleviate them.
He first trained in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy in America with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy and continued on to complete further training with the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital in London, Keele University’s Anatomy & Surgical Training Centre, and the medical department of Heidelberg University in Germany. He also completed specialized training in ultrasound scanning for diagnostic and procedural purposes.
Mr Eaton developed his treatment and examination approach through the process of treating his own chronic symptoms and is committed to making sure his patients experience the same life-changing effects his treatments had on him.
Over the years he has had the privilege of treating many elite-level athletes, including both Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.
Mr Eaton’s expertise has been featured in many national news and media publications, including The Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Daily Express, Women’s Health Magazine, and The Scotsman.
LinkedIn profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-eaton-4338225b/
References
- NHS. (2023). Steroid Injections
- Arthritis Foundation. (2023). Hyaluronic Acid Injections for Osteoarthritis
- Versus Arthritis. (2023). Steroid Injections
- Arthritis Foundation. (2023). PRP Injections for Arthritis
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making treatment decisions.