Many orthopaedic problems are amenable to treatment by injections. The injections used in orthopaedics can be used for various problems.
The various orthopaedic problems amenable to treatment with injections are as follows –
Upper limb
- Fibromyalgia
- Frozen shoulder
- Sub-acromial impingement
- Minor rotator cuff tears
- Calcific tendinitis
- Olecranon bursitis
- Lateral epicondylitis
- Medial epicondylitis
- deQuervain’s tenosynovitis
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Ganglions around the wrist
- Ligament injuries around the wrist
- Trigger finger
Spine
- Prolapsed inter-vertebral discs
- Facet arthritis
- Trigger points of fibromyalgia
- Coccydodynia
Lower limb
- Hip arthritis
- Trochanteric bursitis
- Knee osteoarthritis
- Knee inflammatory arthritis
- Bursitis around the knee
- Retro-calcaneal bursitis
- Plantar fasciitis
- Ankle synovitis
- Ankle arthritis
- Arthritis of the foot
The decision for the timing, type and frequency of the injection can be discussed with the orthopaedic surgeon.
Type of injections
- Steroid injection – use of locally acting steroid can be used. They are usually not affected with any major systemic side effects as their absorption is almost nil. They are mostly used for their anti-inflammatory action.
- Platelet rich plasma – This is the latest technique which has been shown to help in decreasing inflammation as well as has been shown to have some reparative properties as well.