Running, soccer, tennis, weightlifting or downhill skiing… Whether you’re an amateur or a professional, sport puts a lot of strain on your joints, and can cause varying degrees of discomfort. Joint pain in the knee, hip, ankle, shoulder or hand can have a serious impact on your sporting performance and quality of life.
Fortunately, there are a number of solutions available to relieve this pain and enable you to regain your mobility and well-being. Among the various treatments, infiltrations stand out for their effectiveness and speed of action. In this article, we explore the different infiltration options available and how they can help athletes improve their musculoskeletal health.
- What’s an infiltration?
- When is an infiltration necessary?
- Cortisone infiltration
- Viscosupplementation infiltration
- PRP infiltration
- Cold infiltration
- Where to go for joint infiltration?
For more information, talk to a healthcare professional.
What is joint infiltration for pain?
Joint infiltration is a medical procedure that involves injecting a product directly into a joint or tendon to relieve pain, reduce inflammation and facilitate healing. This treatment is particularly effective for pain caused by injury, inflammation or diseases such as arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Infiltrations can be performed with different types of substances, depending on the patient’s specific needs and the nature of their pain.
Looking for quick relief for your joints?
Consult our chronic pain management services.When should infiltrations be done?
Conservative treatments such as physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory drugs are not effective in all patients. A doctor or pain specialist may recommend infiltration for faster, more effective and more targeted results.
There are several types of infiltration. A thorough consultation and examination will enable the professional to recommend the treatment best suited to your situation. He or she will explain the advantages, disadvantages, contraindications and procedure for each type of treatment.
Cortisone infiltrations
Cortisone infiltrations are among the most commonly used treatments for short-term joint pain. Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory hormone found naturally in the human body. When injected into a joint, it acts rapidly to reduce inflammation, thereby relieving pain and minimizing swelling.
An ultrasound scan can be used to pinpoint the exact spot where the product is to be injected. The injection enables athletes to regain mobility and resume their activities more quickly.
Why choosing cortisone?
- Acute and chronic pain: A physician may recommend cortisone infiltration to treat an injury or a variety of conditions, including tendonitis, osteoarthritis, arthritis, bursitis or carpal tunnel syndrome.
- Short downtime: It takes 2 to 7 days after infiltration before you can resume normal activity. Your doctor will be able to specify the amount of time you need to rest, depending on your situation.
- Immediate effects: The effects of the injection appear rapidly, usually within 24 to 48 hours.
- Short-term results: Cortisone injection is considered a short-term treatment, active for 1-3 months.
- Minor side effects: Side effects are rare, but the patient may experience an exacerbation of pain for 24 to 72 hours.
- Occasional treatment: Repeated infiltration can lead to joint damage. Most doctors recommend no more than 3 injections per year, spaced 6 weeks apart.
Viscosupplementation (hyaluronic acid injections)
Viscosupplementation is another sustainable treatment option for joint pain, particularly that associated with osteoarthritis. This treatment involves the injection of hyaluronic acid, a natural substance that lubricates joints.
Viscosupplements help reduce friction between joint surfaces, slowing joint damage, relieving pain and restoring damaged areas.
Why choosing viscosupplementaion?
- Effective for osteoarthritis: Hyaluronic acid injections are particularly beneficial for people suffering from osteoarthritis of the knee, wrist, hip or other parts of the body. However, this treatment is less suitable for patients with advanced osteoarthritis.
- Short downtime: Most doctors recommend resting the joint for 2 to 7 days.
- Longer or shorter effects: Viscosupplementation infiltrations take longer to take effect. The patient may feel the difference within a few days or several weeks of the injection.
- Long-lasting results: However, they offer lasting pain relief, for several months to 1 year.
- Minor side effects: Side effects are generally minor, but may include temporary pain and slight swelling at the injection site.
PRP infiltrations (Platelet Rich Plasma)
PRP infiltration is a natural and sustainable treatment option for joint regeneration. PRP is prepared by taking a sample of the patient’s blood (plasma), centrifuging it to concentrate the blood platelets, then injecting this concentrate directly into the affected joint. Platelets release growth factors that help repair damaged tissue and reduce inflammation.
Why choosing PRP?
- Effective for a variety of disorders: As well as being effective for osteoarthritis, arthritis and tendonitis, PRP therapy is also proposed for healing sprains or torn ligaments and tendons.
- Joint restoration: This treatment not only relieves pain, but also accelerates healing of joint tissues and reduces stiffness.
- Longer downtime: Unlike cortisone or hyaluronic acid infiltration, PRP requires you to take several weeks off sport, depending on the patient and the area injected.
- Longer to become active: the duration of action will depend on the severity of the symptoms or injury. Most patients feel the effects 4 to 6 weeks after infiltration.
- Long-lasting results: The effects of treatment are long-lasting, lasting from 6 months to 1 year for most patients.
- Rare side effects: Since the cells used for treatment come from the patient, very few experience side effects.
IOVERA cold infiltrations
IOVERA cold infiltration is an innovative and safe medical procedure used to temporarily relieve joint pain, particularly that associated with osteoarthritis. It uses cryoneurolysis, a technique that involves cooling the nerves responsible for pain transmission with liquid nitrogen to reduce pain.
Why choosing IOVERA infiltrations?
- Effective for osteoarthritis: Cold infiltration is primarily intended for osteoarthritis patients, particularly those with moderate to severe knee pain. However, it can also be used to treat other chronic joint pains throughout the body.
- Avoiding surgery: IOVERA is ideal for patients in whom other infiltrations or treatments don’t work, as well as for patients who are unwilling or unable to undergo surgery because of their age or medical condition.
- Immediate effects: Patients experience a significant reduction in pain very soon after the procedure.
- Short-term treatment: Effects are felt for up to 90 days. It is therefore necessary to repeat injections when pain returns.
- Performed in the comfort of your own home: The procedure is fast (30 minutes) and can be performed at home or in a clinic.
Appointment for infiltrations in Montreal
Joint pain can be debilitating, especially for amateur or professional athletes. But effective treatment options such as cortisone, viscosupplementation, PRP or cold infiltrations offer significant relief. In the Montreal area, ELNA Medical Group clinics help you return to your sporting activities with less pain and greater mobility.
These services are not covered by RAMQ, but are covered by certain private insurance plans. Book an appointment now!
