Doctor Ngo Tuan Anh, a specialist level one from the Department of Musculoskeletal Internal Medicine at Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, states that joint injection is a common treatment for musculoskeletal conditions. It is indicated when oral medication is ineffective or when combined with other therapies.
Doctors inject medication directly into the joint cavity or surrounding soft tissues to reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and improve mobility. The specific type of injectable medication depends on the patient's condition.
Joint injections are often used to treat conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, bursitis, tendinitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. Cases of cartilage or ligament damage following trauma or surgery may also benefit from joint injections to stimulate the self-healing and tissue regeneration processes.
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Doctor Tuan Anh explains knee osteoarthritis to a patient. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital |
Commonly used injectable medications include:
Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory agents that quickly reduce inflammation by inhibiting the inflammatory process and decreasing the production of inflammatory cells. This medication is often prescribed for individuals with gout, rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, and chronic arthritis.
Hyaluronic acid is injected into the joint to enhance lubrication, reduce pain, and improve range of motion. It also stimulates the synovial membrane to secrete natural fluid, which helps reduce inflammation and nourishes cartilage. Hyaluronic acid is widely applied in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.
Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a blood product containing a platelet concentration 2 to 8 times higher than normal blood. PRP injections can be indicated for treating osteoarthritis and ligament injuries. They stimulate the healing of damaged tissues, reduce inflammation, alleviate pain, and effectively improve joint function.
Doctor Tuan Anh emphasizes that joint injection is a simple, safe, effective, and cost-efficient procedure. However, it must be performed in specialized medical facilities with excellent sterility to prevent the risk of joint infection after injection.
Each type of medication has a different limit on the number of injections per year, so patients must adhere to the prescribed dosage, especially for corticosteroids. High and repeated doses of corticosteroids can damage joint cartilage. Accidental injection into surrounding structures can lead to skin atrophy, nerve damage, tendon rupture, and reduced mobility.
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A patient receives a platelet-rich plasma injection, stimulating faster and more stable tendon repair and healing. Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital |
Additionally, intra-articular injections may cause side effects such as pain, swelling, and joint stiffness. In such cases, patients can apply ice packs to the affected joint and use painkillers as prescribed by their doctor. If symptoms like joint infection, itching, hives, shortness of breath, anaphylactic shock, numbness, muscle weakness, or hyperglycemia occur, immediate medical attention is necessary, as these indicate serious complications.
Phi Hong
