Joint pain can be aching, throbbing, or sharp. It causes the patient a lot of inconvenience and discomfort, limits his ability to work and has a negative effect on mood. To get rid of this symptom, people use injections for joint pain. The names of the most common and effective drugs will be presented in this article.
What medications can I take with discomfort? What is the best way to administer the solution - drip, intravenously or intramuscularly? Injections for joint pain are prescribed for pronounced sensations or at the very beginning of the disease? These questions are of interest to everyone who has at least once in their life encountered unpleasant sensations in the connective tissues of bones.
However, before finding out which strong painkillers injections are prescribed for joint pains, let's determine what this symptom is and what diseases it can signal.
Human physiology
To learn how to relieve joint pain with injections, let's look at what a joint is and where it is. This information is very important, as it will help determine the localization of discomfort, which, in turn, will help establish the correct diagnosis and prescribe effective treatment.
As you know, the bones of the skeleton are connected by joints, thanks to which they not only articulate, but also perform various kinds of movements (bending, rotation, pronation, and so on). Each joint consists of a cavity, pineal glands, cartilage and capsule. All these elements are covered with a synovial membrane, as well as an articular bag.
The joints are located on the knees, elbows, shoulders, and so on and are divided into uniaxial (including cylindrical, helical, block-shaped), biaxial (ellipsoidal, saddle, condyle) and multiaxial (spherical, flat, cup-shaped). The joints serve not only for movement, but also for additional cushioning, as well as mitigating unwanted effects on the bones.
What injections do for joint pain? It all depends not only on the degree of discomfort, but also on the ailment, which manifests itself in such an unpleasant symptom.
Diseases and their conditions
Joint discomfort can indicate the development of serious diseases such as arthritis, bursitis, gout, synovitis, osteoarthritis, tendonitis, malignancies of a malignant or benign nature. Also, this symptom can be the result of various injuries or the occurrence of pathologies associated with hematogenous, neurological or infectious problems of the body. What injections for pain in the joints are prescribed? Much depends on the cause of the symptom.
Why is there discomfort
There can be many reasons for the manifestation of discomfort. And they are not always dangerous. Very often, women experience joint pain during the process of bearing a child, since during pregnancy there is a huge load on the bony system of the expectant mother. Also, unpleasant discomfort can occur due to cold temperatures, overweight, poor nutrition, poor ecology, excessive exercise, constant passivity, stress and overwork. To stop experiencing an untidy sensation, it is necessary to eliminate the provoking factors. For example, in the cold season, wear warm clothes or bring your weight back to normal, monitor a balanced diet and adequate physical exertion, move from a contaminated area, and so on.
Very often, the wearing of heels provokes pain in the joints, as well as the fact that a person is in the same position most of the time. Most often this is due to professional activity. The risk zone for diseases of the skeletal system includes representatives of such professions as cashiers, sellers, hairdressers, drivers, office workers.
However, there are causes of joint pain, which are quite difficult to influence. First of all, it is old age. It is no secret to anyone that over the years there has been a deterioration of many organs, including muscles and joints. In addition, concomitant ailments can affect the appearance of discomfort in bone joints. First of all, this includes problems with the endocrine system, genetic or congenital abnormalities, arthritis and so on.
Concomitant symptoms
With pronounced discomfort, the doctor may prescribe special painkillers. Joint pain injections may be recommended if additional unwanted symptoms occur. These include stiffness in movements, an increase in body temperature, fever, which is indicated near the affected area, swelling of the tissues, bumps around the lesion, and so on. However, before prescribing injections for severe joint pain, the attending physician will conduct a complete diagnosis in order to determine a specific ailment.
Disease detection
In order to determine the ailment, it will be necessary to undergo the following examinations: x-ray, tomography, biopsy, discography, intraosseous phlebography, radionuclide examination. It will also be important to take blood and urine tests, samples to determine antistreptolysin, synovial fluid samples, and so on.
Briefly about treatment
In the case when the diagnosis is established, the doctor prescribes treatment. Most often prescribed injections for pain in the joints (intramuscular, intravenous or intraarticular). Also an important factor in recovery is the use of special ointments or gels for external use, tablets for oral administration and the passage of physiotherapy. The latter include UHF, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis.
Injection General
As drug therapy, injections for joint pain can be prescribed. Medications for the treatment of bone discomfort can relate to different pharmacological groups. These are primarily such means:
- Glucocorticosteroids.
- Analgesic drugs.
- Antimicrobial agents.
- Muscle relaxants.
- Different vitamins.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Antiviral drugs.
- Chondroprotective agents.
Let's talk about each of the above types separately.
Glucocorticosteroids, or hormones
In what cases do you use drugs of this group? First of all, when it is necessary to remove inflammation. If unpleasant sensations in the joints are manifested due to inhibition of their functions or dystrophy, then the hormones in this case will be powerless. What drugs belong to the group of glucocorticosteroids used in the form of injections for joint pain? The names of the drugs are listed below:
- “Hydrocortisone.”
- “Diprospan”.
- "Dexamethasone."
- Leaderspan.
- “Prednisone.”
These medicines relieve swelling and soreness of the joint relatively quickly. And yet they bring temporary relief, but they have a lot of side effects. How are these injections used for pain in the joints of the legs or hands? Many doctors recommend injecting glucocorticosteroids into the joint itself.
Thus, the active substance of the drug reaches the immediate site of the lesion and can have a beneficial effect on it. Doctors prescribe these medications for injection for three to five days. In rare cases, a course extension of up to three weeks is possible.
According to patient reviews, these drugs are most often prescribed for pain in the joints of the legs. Injections can provoke an aggravation of the disease in the first few days after application. However, after such an artificial exacerbation, relief of the patient's condition most often occurs.
Analgesic
Anesthetizing injections for pain in the joints of the legs do not cure the disease, but only eliminate the unpleasant symptom. At the very beginning of the disease, the doctor may prescribe tablets. However, in more complex or advanced cases, injection treatment may be necessary.
Most often, experts recommend purchasing ampoules of “Nalbufin”. This is a classic pain medication, available in the form of a solution for injections from pain in the hip joint or some other. This medication does not contain any narcotic or psychotropic substances, therefore it is tolerated by patients quite easily and does not cause addiction (addiction). On the other hand, the active substance of the drug has a calming effect, so it should be prescribed with caution to people suffering from various disorders of the central nervous system.
It is best to use this medicine as an anesthetic for no longer than three days. This is due to the fact that its active substance has not been adequately studied.
If the usual, the so-called classic painkillers do not help, and the patient continues to suffer from unbearable pain in the extremities, a specialist may consider it appropriate to prescribe drugs. First of all, it is “Tramadol” and “Trimaperidin”. In the pharmacy, they can be released strictly according to the doctor’s prescription. These drugs can be used throughout the week. If the term is increased, it can cause addiction.
Nonsteroidal drugs (or NSAIDs)
Medicines belonging to this group of drugs have a wide spectrum of action. They not only relieve pain and swelling, but also eliminate inflammation. The effect is achieved due to the fact that the active components of the drugs block the synthesis of prostaglandins, which are responsible for the inflammatory process inside the joint. Despite their effectiveness, the NSAID rate does not exceed a week. Anti-inflammatory injections for joint pain are divided into two large groups: selective and non-selective drugs.
The first group of drugs is composed of relatively new drugs. They are practically harmless, since they do not have a negative effect on other organs. Selective inhibitors include drugs such as Arthrosan, Movalis, and Celebrex. If the patient suffers from peptic ulcer, then “Dynastat” or “Nise” may be prescribed. And yet, these powerful drugs have a negative effect on the cardiovascular system.
Non-selective inhibitors include Ketanov, Analgin and Diclofen. They not only eliminate discomfort, but also significantly slow down the inflammatory process. On the other hand, these medicines have a pronounced negative effect on the liver and organs of the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, they are recommended to be taken in parallel with those drugs that restore liver function and protect the gastric mucosa. As adjuvants, the doctor may prescribe “Ranitidine” or “Almagel”.
The importance of chondroprotectors
The composition of these drugs most often includes substances such as chondroitin or glucosamine. It is these medications that are aimed at completely healing damaged joints. They not only slow down the process of organ destruction, but also contribute to its regeneration, that is, recovery. How are such results achieved?
Chondroitin increases the formation of hyaluronic acid. Also, this substance improves the production of intraarticular fluid and stimulates various anabolic processes that occur in cartilage. In addition, chondroitin helps to reduce inflammation due to the effect on its cellular component. Chondroitin sulfate-based preparations include Chondroflex, Mucosat, Structum, and Chondrolon. In the form of intramuscular injections, these medicines are prescribed thirty injections per course.
What is the effect of glucosamine on the body? This substance is indispensable for the active production of chondroitin, glycoproteins, heparin, hyaluronic acid and so on. Glucosamine has an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effect, and also stimulates the metabolic processes that are carried out in the synovial fluid. Among injection solutions, which are based on glucosamine, “Artron Flex” and “Don” should be distinguished.
Moreover, modern chondroprotectors include medicines, the active substance of which is a bioactive concentrate obtained from the cartilage of fish or animals. This group includes drugs such as Rumalon and Alflutop. Most often, the attending physician prescribes these drugs intramuscularly in one milliliter.
However, the most pronounced effect is provided by combined chondroprotectors, which include several of the active ingredients listed above. This is primarily “Teraflex”, “Artiflex-ultra” and “Artron-triaktiv.”
How long should a doctor prescribe chondroprotectors? Of course, everything will depend on the severity of unpleasant sensations and the stage of development of the disease. Most often, experts prescribe a six-month course of drugs that interest us. After some time, therapy will need to be repeated.
To achieve the maximum therapeutic effect from the introduction of chondroprotectors, they are often prescribed together with medications of the anti-inflammatory group. Moreover, in treatment it is important to adhere to the schedule. If you miss at least one injection, all further therapy may become useless. In this case, it is very important to listen to the recommendations of the attending physician and observe the dosage and the dosage regimen that was prescribed by the specialist.
More about chondroprotectors
As mentioned above, this pharmacological group helps to restore the affected joint. The following drugs are prescribed as regenerative and anti-inflammatory injections for pain in the knees and joints:
- Hialubrix. This medicine is injected directly into the space between the joints and is used as an artificial lubricant.
- "Mucosat." Most often it is prescribed for pain caused by injuries or bruises.
- “Don.” According to the opinions of doctors and patients, this tool is most often used for discomfort in the bones and joints. It relieves pain, eliminates the inflammatory process, stops the destruction of articular tissue, accelerates the regeneration of cartilage.
The use of muscle relaxants
What is remarkable for this group of drugs? First of all, the fact that medications have a relaxing effect on muscle tissue, that is, they help eliminate muscle spasm, which in turn helps to get rid of severe pain. Among the main muscle relaxants, antispasmodics are distinguished, that is, those that eliminate muscle hypertonicity, and NMBs (called neuromuscular blockers) that completely remove tone.
What drugs from the muscle relaxant group will the attending physician recommend? Most likely, these will be such solutions for intramuscular injections as Cyclobenzaprine, Baclofen, Midokalm, Tizanidin. According to experts, the course of treatment with these drugs should not exceed seven days.
But what about without vitamins?
This group of drugs not only has a beneficial effect on the whole body, but also has a positive effect on the musculoskeletal system. How?
Vitamins (especially group B) strengthen bones and muscles and restore patency of various nerve impulses impaired by spasm. Among the most common drugs, the following stand out: Milgamma, Combilipen, Neurorbin, Trigamma, Beviplex. Vitamins are prescribed in courses of ten days. The introduction of the solution is rather painful, so patients and nurses recommend doing the so-called iodine mesh at the injection site.
B vitamins are introduced into the patient's body in two ways:
- The combined method involves the joint introduction of vitamins B 1 , B 6 , B 12 .
- Alternation method. According to this method, vitamins B 1 and B 12 are administered on the first day, and B 6 and B 12 on the second. Then the days alternate.
Other drugs
Of course, the above drugs are an incomplete list of medications that a doctor can prescribe for severe pain in the joint. Most often, specific treatment may be required to eliminate the underlying disease. Moreover, on the basis of analyzes and other examinations, the treating specialist determines the additional treatment.
For example, drugs that improve blood circulation may be recommended. This is important, because if the blood circulates well, cartilage and articular tissue can receive more oxygen, minerals and vitamins. In such cases, Cinnarizine or Trental are prescribed.
Hyaluronic acid injections may also be needed. Its composition is rich in peptides and vitamin C, which not only promotes the regeneration of cartilage, but also eliminates the inflammatory process, thereby contributing to a speedy recovery.
Injection directly into the joint
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However, the injections we are interested in have disadvantages as well. This is primarily due to the complexity of performing intraarticular injections. Such manipulations can only be carried out by a specialist. In addition, with this method of treatment, there is a high risk of injury, since the doctor may accidentally fall into the wrong place or hurt any important vessel.
Most often, injections are made into small joints located in the elbow, knee or phalanges of the fingers. Hip injections are only done under ultrasound guidance.
Hormonal drugs or chondroprotectors are injected directly into the damaged area. Glucocorticosteroids, as mentioned above, do not have a therapeutic effect, but simply relieve pain and swelling, that is, they act symptomatically. However, the effect of their introduction is achieved quite quickly. According to reviews, patients almost immediately feel relief (two or three injections are enough), stiffness of the joints is eliminated and their mobility returns.
Preparations of the chondroprotective group have a pronounced therapeutic effect. They really treat, but the result is not immediately noticeable. Most often, for two to three years, it is necessary to undergo several courses of the drug. Usually, three courses of five to fifteen injections are given per year. According to the assurances of doctors, chondroprotectors practically do not cause side effects. However, they are not suitable for all patients.
Drugs acting as substitutes for intraarticular fluid are also injected directly into the joint. These are pharmacological agents such as Ostenil, Fermetron and Sinokrom. Most often, they are prescribed to patients after sixty years and injected into the knee and elbow joints. Treatment takes place every six months for three to five injections per course.
Action algorithm
Many people are afraid to make intra-articular injections. However, this is in vain, since if you find a good specialist, then with the help of such manipulations you can completely recover from the disease. How does the procedure go?
Before administering the drug, the doctor makes an allergenic test, that is, injects a small amount of the solution under the skin. If there are no negative reactions, the skin around the affected area is anesthetized. Then the joint should be bent, thanks to this the needle will enter more easily. If the joint is deformed due to a serious illness, the drug is administered under ultrasound control.
Insert the needle completely under the skin or halfway - only the doctor decides. As soon as the needle penetrated the organ, the specialist pumps out the joint fluid and injects the same amount of the drug solution into the cavity. Everything, the manipulation was successful! Now, a medical patch should be applied to the injection site. The joint must not be moved for ten to fifteen minutes.
A few words in conclusion
Is it possible to completely cure joint pain of various etiologies? Sure. However, it is important to remember that properly selected medication is only half the battle. By all means, you should also change your lifestyle - get rid of bad habits, eat only healthy foods and move more.