Pain in the joints causes discomfort and gets in your way of daily activities. Medications such as painkillers may not relieve you of the pain. An in-depth approach like joint injections in Eugene can offer a long-lasting solution to your discomfort and pain.

What is a joint?

A joint is also known as articulation. It is a part of your body where two bones or more meet to cause movement. Connective tissues referred to as ligaments, hold together and support the joints. Smooth cartilage is used to prevent friction when there is a movement of bones against each other. Joints are categorized based on their movement. There are three types of joints:

  • Slightly movable. These are joints that are tightly held together and allow for limited movement. An example is the vertebrae located in your spine.
  • Immovable. These bones are very close in contact and no movement is involved. They include the skull in the head region.
  • Freely movable. It is the most common type of joint in the body. These joints are used for movement.

There are six freely moveable joints including:

  • Hinge joint. Allows movement in one direction, such as in the elbow and the knees.
  • Ball and socket joint. It consists of a bone inside a cup. It is located in the hip and shoulder area and allows for movement in all directions.
  • Pivot joint. It is a chain of joints separated by a ring. For example, the vertebrae column in the spine.
  • Condyloid joint. This type of joint permits movement without rotation. It is located in the jaw and fingers.
  • Saddle joint. Allows back and forth movement but does not allow rotation.
  • Gliding joint. There is a restricted movement where two bones smoothly move along each other. For example, the wrist.

What causes pain in joints?

  • Musculoskeletal diseases such as arthritis is a major source of joint pain among older people. This condition occurs because of the frequent use of joints.
  • Vigorous movement in the joints causes inflammation and pain. People in sporting activities develop a high risk of experiencing pain in the joints.
  • Underlying diseases could also cause discomfort in the joints.

As part of the diagnosis, a specialist at Pacific Sports and Spine will conduct a physical examination by checking your joints and how they move. Your blood may also be tested in the laboratory to check for:

  • Uric acid
  • C-reactive protein
  • Rheumatoid factor
  • Erythrocyte sedimentation rate
  • Antinuclear antibodies

Types of joint injections

Corticosteroid injections

A specialist will use this injection when you have symptoms of osteoarthritis. It is used on your hips, knees, and shoulder joints. The injection reduces pain and stops inflammation. 

Sacroiliac injections

This provides relief from inflammation caused by sacroiliac joint pain in your groin, leg, and abdominal area.

Hyaluronic acid injections

This injection is used when you have arthritis symptoms and it is only used in the knee. It contains a gel-like substance used as a natural fluid in the joint.

Facet joint injections

The facet joints located along your spine may be a source of back pain. This injection relieves you from pain in the back.

Before an injection, a local anesthetic will be used to reduce the amount of pain when injected. After the injection, you will experience relief from pain 3-7 days later. You will not experience pain for several days or months.

Book an appointment with your specialist at Pacific Sports and Spine to get your joints treated and get a pain-free experience.