Joint Injections: Relief for Chronic Pain and Inflammation

Joint pain can severely limit a person's mobility and quality of life. Joint injections have become an effective treatment for managing pain and inflammation in conditions such as arthritis. This blog explores the types, benefits, and considerations of joint injections.

Types of Joint Injections:

1. Corticosteroid Injections: Used to reduce inflammation and provide quick relief for conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
2. Hyaluronic Acid Injections: Commonly used for knee osteoarthritis, these injections act as a lubricant, improving joint function and reducing pain.
3. Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Injections: Utilize the patient’s own blood to stimulate healing and repair in the joint.

How They Work: Joint injections deliver medication directly into the joint space, providing targeted pain relief. This method is more effective than oral medication as it focuses on the affected area with fewer systemic side effects.

Benefits of Joint Injections:

• Rapid Pain Relief: Patients often notice pain reduction within a few days.
• Reduced Inflammation: Helps decrease swelling and discomfort.
• Improved Mobility: Pain relief often leads to better joint function.

Procedure Expectations: A typical joint injection is done in an outpatient setting. The skin is sterilized, and a needle is used to deliver the medication into the joint. The patient may feel slight discomfort during the procedure but can resume normal activities within a day or two.

Potential Risks: While generally safe, potential side effects include temporary pain at the injection site and, rarely, infection or allergic reaction. Patients should discuss their medical history with their doctor to assess the risks.

Conclusion: Joint injections are a valuable tool in the management of chronic joint pain and inflammation. Speaking with an orthopedic specialist helps determine which type of injection is most suitable for an individual’s specific condition.

Meet Dr. Saurabh Dang, MD, MBA

Dr Saurabh Dang is Board Certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine by the American Board of Medical Specialties.  A graduate of Hamilton College, in Clinton, NY, Dr Dang completed his internship in General Surgery at Beth Israel Medical Center in New York, NY. He then went on to receive his training in Anesthesiology at New York Medical College, in Valhalla, NY. During his Anesthesiology training, Dr Dang was elected and served as Chief Resident and received the “Resident of the Year Award” during his final year of training. He went on to complete a fellowship in Interventional Pain Medicine at The University of Toledo, in Toledo, OH. He received his MBA from The Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD.  

Since completing his training, Dr Dang has been in private practice in Clifton, Edison, West Orange, and Jersey City, New Jersey.  He has specialized in neuromodulation and the implementation of spinal cord stimulation and intrathecal drug delivery systems for the treatment of chronic pain.  He has been a faculty member for multiple fellowship training labs throughout the United States, teaching physicians on implantation techniques of spinal cord stimulators and intrathecal pumps.  Dr Dang has also served as a faculty member for various pain societies.  In his private practice Dr Dang offers multiple therapies for the treatment of chronic pain including: Intrathecal drug delivery system implantation, Dorsal Column Spinal Cord Stimulation implantation, Dorsal Root Spinal Cord Stimulation implantation, Insertion of interspinous spacer for spinal stenosis, SI joint arthrodesis, kyphoplasty, minimally invasive lumbar decompression (mild procedure) for spinal stenosis, and percutaneous tenotomy among others.  He employs the multimodal approach for treating patients with chronic pain.

 Dr Dang is an active member in many organizations including the American Society of Interventional Pain Physicians and the North American Neuromodulation Society.  Dr. Dang is located at Garden State Pain and Orthopedics locations in Jersey City, Clifton, West Orange, and Edison. If you have any neck or back pain, please contact us to schedule an appointment with Dr. Saurabh Dang.