When Should You Consider Injections For Joint Pain?
As we age, we often expect a few "creaks and pops" when we get out of bed in the morning. However, there is a significant difference between normal aging and the persistent, nagging pain that keeps you from playing with your grandkids, tending to your garden, or enjoying a walk through the Pearl.
At San Antonio Orthopaedic Specialists, we believe that "living with it" shouldn't be your only strategy. Our Joint Health Specialists are committed to offering advanced, non-surgical treatments that bridge the gap between physical therapy and the operating room.
If you’ve been wondering if it’s time to move beyond heating pads and over-the-counter pills, here is a guide on when you should consider joint injections.
1. When Over-the-Counter Medications Are No Longer Enough
Many of our patients start their journey with ibuprofen or naproxen. While these can help with occasional flare-ups, long-term use can lead to stomach issues or kidney concerns, especially for seniors. If you find yourself reaching for the pill bottle every single day just to stay mobile, an injection can provide more targeted, potent relief directly at the source of the inflammation without the systemic side effects of oral medication.
2. When Pain Interrupts Your Sleep
Rest is the cornerstone of health, but joint pain, particularly in the hips, knees, or shoulders, has a way of intensifying at night. If you are waking up because you can't find a comfortable position, or if the throbbing in your joints prevents you from falling asleep, your body isn't getting the chance to heal. Corticosteroid or viscosupplementation (gel) injections can reduce that nighttime inflammation, helping you get the restorative sleep you need.
3. When Your Mobility Is Shrinking
Have you started saying "no" to invitations because you’re worried about how much walking will be involved? When joint pain begins to shrink your world, it’s time to act. Injections like viscosupplementation act as a lubricant for the knee. By restoring the "shock absorber" quality of your joint fluid, these treatments can make walking, climbing stairs, and standing much more comfortable.
4. When You Want to Delay or Avoid Surgery
Not everyone is a candidate for, or wants, a joint replacement. Whether you have health contraindications for surgery or simply want to explore every conservative option first, injections are a powerful tool. Our Joint Health Specialists use these advanced treatments to manage symptoms for months at a time, allowing you to maintain an active lifestyle on your own terms.
5. When Physical Therapy is Too Painful to Start
Physical therapy is highly effective, but it’s hard to do the exercises if the joint is too inflamed to move. Sometimes, we utilize an injection to "quiet the joint down." By reducing the initial pain and swelling, you can successfully participate in strengthening exercises that provide long-term stability and health for your joints.
Restoring Your Quality of Life in San Antonio
At SAOS, we don't just treat X-rays; we treat people. We know that every patient in San Antonio has different goals, whether that's hitting the golf course at Sonterra or simply walking the aisles of H-E-B without pain.
Our Joint Health Specialists focus on precision. Many of our injections are performed using ultrasound guidance to ensure the medication is delivered exactly where it’s needed for maximum effectiveness.
Proven Patient Outcomes: Non-Surgical Success
San Antonio Orthopaedic Specialists Patient
Real patient stories reflect the level of care, experience, and attention our team provides at San Antonio Orthopaedic Specialists. While we are experts in surgical care, our primary goal is to help you return to living fully, often through advanced non-surgical options like Lipogems.
One of our patients, who struggled with chronic knee pain and burning for years after an old accident, shared how Lipogem injections changed his life. Before the procedure, he couldn't play sports or even walk through his large car dealership without severe pain.
After his treatment with Dr. Broome, he noticed a dramatic shift. “The change in my life has been so dramatic. It has really given me back things that I really kind of thought I might not be able to do anymore,” he shared. Just two weeks later, he was walking all over Las Vegas, and today he’s back to playing tennis and riding motorcycles with his sons. “I feel like I’m 40 again instead of 53.”
Click here to read the full Lipogems patient testimonial and see the video.
Dr. Brandon Couch, Dr. Adam Harris, and Dr. C. Brandon Broome.
Take the First Step Toward Relief
You don't have to wait for your pain to become "unbearable" before seeking help. Early intervention is often the key to preserving joint function and staying independent.
Ready to explore your options? Schedule a consultation with the Joint Health Specialists at San Antonio Orthopaedic Specialists today. Let’s discuss how our advanced injection therapies and non-surgical care can help you get back to the life you love.