Joint Injections
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Cody Covington, MD
Orthopedic Surgeon located in San Antonio, TX
Joint injections offer impressive results without surgery. At his practice in San Antonio, Texas, orthopedic surgeon Cody Covington, MD, offers several advanced options for patients who could benefit from joint injections. If you’re struggling with lingering pain that doesn’t improve with other treatments, joint injections can reduce inflammation or even help rebuild damaged tissue. Book an appointment online or call the office to schedule your consultation now.
Joint Injections Q&A
What are joint injections?
A joint injection is an anti-inflammatory or healing substance injected directly into a painful or damaged joint. Dr. Covington frequently uses X-ray or ultrasound guidance to ensure ideal placement as he administers your joint injections.
What are some options for joint injections?
Dr. Covington offers three main types of joint injections, including:
Steroid injections
Steroid injections include corticosteroid medication along with a local anesthetic. Corticosteroids reduce inflammation, which in turn relieves swelling and pain. Although corticosteroids are effective, they're not a healing treatment.
Steroid injections can work for several months, which gives you time to heal without suffering.
Stem cell injections
Dr. Covington uses a highly advanced type of regenerative medicine: BioLab Fluid Flow™ stem cell injections. Fluid Flow is an amniotic allograft, which means it comes from amniotic fluid inside the amniotic sac following a healthy live birth.
Amniotic fluid is a rich source of stem cells and regenerative substances like cytokines. Stem cells can transform into tissue of any kind, so they're effective in repairing tissue and joint damage.
Stem cells also secrete growth factors that aid in healing, recruit other cells to help, and reduce inflammation. Ultimately, this helps to restore your joint while decreasing your pain.
Viscosupplementation
With viscosupplementation, Dr. Covington injects hyaluronic acid, a gel-like substance, directly into an arthritic joint. Viscosupplementation treats osteoarthritis, a disease in which your bone-cushioning cartilage wears away, causing bone-on-bone pain.
Viscosupplementation gives your joint the cushion it needs for painless movement. Usually, viscosupplementation is best suited for knee osteoarthritis.
Dr. Covington goes over these options and explains how each could work for you.
How many joint injections do I need?
The number of injections you need depends on a few factors, including the underlying disease and your body's individual response to the substance.
With steroid injections, you may notice results after the first injection, or you may need a few injections. You can usually have 3-4 injections per year, as too much of this medication could cause adverse effects.
With stem cell injections, you could see results after only one injection, although some people need a second treatment. Tissue healing takes place over time, and after that, you generally won't need further treatment unless you have another injury.
With viscosupplementation, most people have a series of injections over 3-5 weeks. Results usually peak at around 2-3 months after beginning treatment, and one series of viscosupplementation injections can last for six months or longer.
If aging or injury is causing you pain or mobility issues, call Cody Covington, MD, or click the provided scheduling link to book your joint injection consultation now.