Cortisone · PRP · Collagenase
Injection Treatments
An injection places medication exactly where the problem is rather than sending it through the whole body. For the right condition, a well-placed injection can reduce pain, restore motion, confirm a diagnosis — or make an operation unnecessary.
(623) 264-3300Where an Injection Can Help
Joints
Arthritis of the thumb base, fingers, wrist, elbow and shoulder
Tendon Sheaths
Trigger finger, de Quervain's, wrist and hand tendonitis
Tendon Origins
Tennis elbow, golfer's elbow and other overuse conditions
Nerve Tunnels
Carpal tunnel syndrome, where an injection can calm inflammation around the nerve
Cords & Tissue
Dupuytren's contracture, using collagenase to weaken the cord
Why They Work
Targeted, Not Systemic
The advantage of an injection is precision. A very small amount of medication placed at the right structure can accomplish what a much larger systemic dose could not.
Delivered to the Source
A pill travels through the whole body. An injection places medication exactly where the inflammation is, which is why a small dose can have a large local effect.
Diagnostic as Well as Therapeutic
When it is unclear which of several nearby structures is causing pain, an injection into one specific target can help confirm the source — even before it relieves anything.
Often Buys Time or Avoids Surgery
For many patients an injection provides enough relief to complete a therapy program or to let an irritated tendon settle, without an operation.
A Fair Trial Before Escalating
Injections are one component of a non-operative plan. They are typically used alongside therapy, activity modification and splinting rather than on their own.
Types
Injection Treatments Offered
Each type of injection does something different. Which one is appropriate depends entirely on what is being treated.
Cortisone Injections
A corticosteroid delivered directly to an inflamed joint, tendon sheath or bursa. Cortisone reduces inflammation at the source, which can relieve pain and restore motion — sometimes for months.
Commonly used for
Arthritis, tendonitis, trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, bursitis
Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
A sample of your own blood is spun down to concentrate the platelets and growth factors it contains, and that concentrate is injected into the injured tissue. The goal is to support the body's own repair response.
Commonly used for
Tendon injuries, tennis and golfer's elbow, selected ligament injuries
Collagenase Injection
An enzyme that dissolves the collagen making up the cords of Dupuytren's contracture. Injected into the cord, it weakens the tissue so the finger can then be straightened — often avoiding an operation.
Commonly used for
Dupuytren's contracture
Trigger Point Injection
A small volume of local anesthetic delivered into a painful, taut band of muscle. It can interrupt a cycle of pain and spasm and provide relief while other treatment takes effect.
Commonly used for
Muscular pain and spasm
What to Expect
On the Day of Your Injection
Some types of injections may be performed as an office procedure. There is no sedation in most cases.
Before
Your physician reviews your medications and medical history, confirms the target, and answers questions. Certain blood thinners may need to be held in advance.
During
The site is cleaned with antiseptic and the injection is placed. Local anesthetic is sometimes used alongside the medication.
After
You can generally drive yourself and resume light activity. A day or two of increased soreness at the site is common before the benefit takes hold.
Honest Expectations
Responses Vary Widely
Two patients with the same diagnosis can respond very differently to the same injection. There is no way to predict the duration of relief in advance.
A Tool, Not a Cure
An injection manages a condition. It works best alongside therapy, activity modification and other measures that address what caused the problem.
Repeat Injections Are Limited
Repeated cortisone into the same site can weaken tendon and soften cartilage. The number used is deliberately conservative.
Insurance Coverage Differs
Cortisone injections are commonly covered. PRP and some other orthobiologic treatments frequently are not, and coverage should be checked before proceeding.
Risks & Benefits
Risks and benefits should be discussed in detail with your treating physician. Non-operative treatment also carries risks and benefits which should be discussed with your treating physician.
Common Questions
Injection Treatment FAQs
Do cortisone injections hurt?+
Most patients describe the injection itself as a brief sting or pressure that lasts a few seconds. Local anesthetic is sometimes mixed with the cortisone to numb the area quickly. Some soreness at the injection site for a day or two afterward is common and generally manageable.
How long does a cortisone injection last?+
It varies widely. Some patients get several months of relief from a single injection; others get only a few weeks, and some get none at all. The response depends on the condition being treated, how long it has been present and how the individual responds. A good response after a first injection does not guarantee the same with a repeat.
How many cortisone injections can I have?+
Repeated cortisone injections into the same site can weaken tendon and soften the cartilage in a joint, so the number is deliberately limited. In practice, injections are usually spaced out and used as part of a broader plan rather than as an ongoing monthly treatment. Your physician will discuss how many are appropriate for your situation.
What is PRP and how is it different from cortisone?+
They work in opposite ways. Cortisone suppresses inflammation — it calms an irritated structure, which is why it relieves pain quickly. PRP uses concentrated platelets from your own blood and is intended to support tissue repair rather than suppress the process. PRP is not appropriate for every condition, and it is not typically covered by insurance in the way cortisone injections are.
Are there risks with injections?+
Risks include infection, bleeding, bruising, a temporary flare of pain after the injection, skin changes or lightening at the injection site, and tendon weakening with repeated cortisone use. Injections are not appropriate for some patients, including those with certain active infections or poorly controlled diabetes. Risks and benefits should be discussed in detail with your treating physician.
Will an injection cure my condition?+
An injection is generally a tool for managing a condition rather than curing it. It often works best as part of a plan that also addresses what is causing the problem — the way you use your hand, your activity level, your therapy program. An injection that relieves pain without any change to those factors may provide temporary benefit only.
Could an Injection Help You?
Whether an injection is appropriate depends on what is causing your symptoms. An evaluation establishes the diagnosis first — the treatment follows from it.