6 Reasons Doctors Recommend Joint Pain Injections (and When They Actually Help)

Joint pain—whether in your knees, hips, shoulders, or lower back—can make everyday activities difficult. If medications, stretching, or physical therapy haven’t worked well enough, your doctor may recommend joint injections as a non-surgical option to reduce inflammation and improve mobility.

These injections don’t cure the underlying issue, but they can provide meaningful relief—especially for arthritis, sports injuries, and chronic back or SI joint pain.

Six Medically-Backed Reasons Your Doctor May Recommend Injections

1. Injections Offer a Non-Surgical Path to Relief

Joint injections deliver anesthetic and corticosteroid medication directly into the inflamed joint.
Benefits include:

• No incisions
• Minimal downtime
• Immediate reduction in inflammation

For patients hoping to delay or avoid surgery, injections can be an effective bridge treatment.

2. They Help You Get More Out of Physical Therapy

Severe joint stiffness can limit your ability to stretch, strengthen, and rebuild proper movement patterns.
Injections can provide enough pain relief to:

• Restore initial mobility
• Allow safer exercise
• Improve physical therapy outcomes

This is especially useful for knee arthritis, shoulder injuries, and low back/SI joint dysfunction.

3. They Can Treat Many Different Painful Joints

Doctors commonly use injections for:

• Knees
• Hips
• Shoulders
• Wrists & Elbows
• Sacroiliac (SI) joints
• Spine/lower back

Because they are targeted, injections relieve pain exactly where inflammation is occurring.

4. They Help Manage Chronic Conditions Like Arthritis

Injections are frequently used for conditions such as:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Tendonitis or bursitis
• Degenerative joint disease

While these treatments don’t reverse cartilage loss, they can significantly reduce pain and swelling during flare-ups.

5. The Procedure Is Fast and Image-Guided

Most injections take 15–30 minutes.
Your provider may use:

• X-ray (fluoroscopy)
• Ultrasound guidance

This ensures precise placement and maximizes relief.

6. Relief Can Begin Quickly

Many patients feel relief within minutes from the anesthetic, followed by deeper improvement over a few days as swelling decreases.
Results often last weeks to several months, depending on the condition and treatment type.

Targeted Treatment: SI Joint Pain

SI joint inflammation can cause lower back, hip, and buttock pain. Because oral medications often don’t reach the joint effectively, SI joint injections offer targeted relief.

• Performed under X-ray guidance
• Relief can last months
• Usually no more than 3 injections every 6 months

Targeted Treatment: Knee Pain

Knee injections can help with:

Osteoarthritis

Cartilage wear causes swelling and stiffness.

Rheumatoid arthritis

Autoimmune inflammation damages joint tissue.

Treatment options may include:

• Corticosteroid injections
• Prolotherapy (dextrose-based healing stimulation)

Both can decrease pain and improve movement.

Are Joint Injections a Permanent Fix?

In most cases, no—they’re one tool in a broader treatment plan.

Injections may:

• Provide temporary relief
• Reduce inflammation
• Delay or supplement surgical options
• Improve outcomes when paired with physical therapy

Your provider will help determine whether injections are part of a short-term solution or a long-term management plan.

Joint Pain Relief at BASS Medical Group

If joint pain is limiting your daily life, injections may help you move more comfortably again. Our board-certified Pain Medicine specialists evaluate your symptoms, review imaging, and create a personalized plan that may include injections, therapy, medication, or other non-surgical options.

Ready to feel relief? Schedule a consultation with a BASS Medical Group provider to discuss joint injections and other treatment options.