Rehabilitation and Human Performance

Joint Injections

Mount Sinai interventional pain management specialists use joint injections as a minimally invasive treatment to relieve stiffness and pain because of arthritis, autoimmune disorders, cysts, sprains, strains, and tendinitis. These injections are often performed with a cold spray or other local anesthetic. Various spots of injected joints include:

  • Ankle
  • Elbow
  • Hip
  • Knee
  • Shoulder
  • Small joints of the hands and feet
  • Thumb base
  • Wrist

Treatments

Relief from joint injections may last several months. For short-term conditions, pain management may be complete after one injection. However, chronic conditions may require a few injections per year. Some of the most common treatment options we offer include:

  • Anti-inflammatory injections: Medication administered by a needle that prevents irritated or injured joints from becoming inflamed.
  • Cyst aspiration: Minimally invasive procedure that uses sound waves (ultrasound) to pinpoint a cyst and guide a thin needle into the cyst to remove fluid.
  • Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP): Removes platelets from your own blood sample, and injects them into the joint to stimulate longer-term healing
  • Radiofrequency ablation: Uses heat to destroy damaged tissue or nerves that are emitting pain signals.