6 Reasons Your Doctor Might Recommend Injections for Joint Pain Relief

If you’re dealing with chronic joint pain, injections may offer the relief you need—without the need for surgery. Joint pain injections are commonly used to reduce inflammation, relieve stiffness, and improve mobility in targeted areas like the knees, hips, or lower back.

While these injections don’t cure the underlying condition, they can make a big difference in your day-to-day comfort. Here are six reasons why your doctor may recommend them.

1. Injections Are a Non-Surgical Option

Joint injections are a minimally invasive treatment that deliver a combination of anesthetic and corticosteroid directly into the affected joint. Since they’re non-surgical, they avoid the risks and recovery time associated with more invasive procedures.

2. They Can Improve Physical Therapy Outcomes

If your joint pain is limiting your range of motion, it can be difficult to participate in physical therapy. Injections may provide short-term relief, helping restore enough mobility to begin a rehab program that strengthens the joint and improves long-term outcomes.

3. They Can Be Used in Many Different Joints

Joint injections can target nearly any joint that’s causing you pain, including:

• Knees
• Hips
• Shoulders
• Wrists
• Sacroiliac (SI) joints
• Elbows and more

4. They Offer Relief for Chronic Conditions Like Arthritis

While injections won’t cure osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis, they can help reduce the daily pain these conditions cause. Injections are often used to manage flare-ups and may be part of a broader arthritis care plan that includes medication, therapy, and lifestyle adjustments.

5. The Procedure Is Quick and Simple

Most joint injection procedures take 15 to 30 minutes, including prep and recovery time. Using imaging guidance like ultrasound or X-ray, your doctor will precisely place the needle for maximum relief. You’ll usually be able to go home the same day.

6. Pain Relief Can Begin Quickly

Many patients feel immediate relief from the anesthetic, followed by continued improvement as the steroid reduces inflammation over several days. While swelling and soreness may return temporarily, results can last from several weeks to a few months.

SI Joint Pain Relief

The sacroiliac (SI) joints are located where your spine connects to your pelvis. When inflamed, they can cause pain in the lower back, buttocks, hips, or legs. SI joint pain often doesn’t respond well to general pain medications, which makes targeted injections an effective solution.

Under X-ray guidance, your doctor will inject a mix of anesthetic and steroid directly into the SI joint. Relief can last for several months, and most patients only need one or two injections to see results. However, providers typically limit these to no more than three injections every six months.

Knee Joint Pain Relief

The knees are one of the most common sites for joint injections, especially in people with arthritis.

• Osteoarthritis causes cartilage to wear down over time
• Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune condition that causes inflammation and joint damage

Injections for knee pain can include steroids or prolotherapy, which uses a dextrose-based solution to stimulate the body’s healing response. Both can reduce pain and improve function without surgery.

Are Injections a Permanent Fix?

It’s important to note that joint injections are not a permanent solution. They can provide relief for weeks or months, but chronic joint conditions may eventually require surgery or other long-term interventions.

Your provider will help you understand whether injections are part of a short-term strategy or a bridge to more advanced treatment.

Trust BASS Medical Group for Joint Pain Relief

If you’re tired of living with joint pain, injections might be the right option to help you move more comfortably again. The board-certified providers at BASS Medical Group will evaluate your symptoms, guide you through your treatment options, and help create a personalized care plan that works for your lifestyle.

Ready to Feel Relief?

Schedule a consultation with a BASS Medical Group provider to discuss joint pain injections and other non-surgical treatments that may work for you.