You've been given the exercises.
You understand why you need to strengthen the area.
You're motivated to get better.
There's just one problem: it hurts too much to actually do it.
It can be one of the most frustrating parts of managing a musculoskeletal problem. Pain can become the roadblock sitting between you and your rehabilitation and better movements.
You may already be seeing an osteopath, sports therapist, physiotherapist or another healthcare professional. You might understand exactly what you're working towards, but pain is making it difficult to progress.
For some patients, this is where a corticosteroid injection may be worth considering as a part of a wider treatment plan.
Steroid Injections aren't just about making pain disappear
It's easy to think about a steroid injection simply as a pain relieving treatment.
However, in musculoskeletal medicine, there can be another reason for considering one.
Sometimes reducing symptoms creates an opportunity to get you moving well again.
Corticosteroid injections are used for certain painful joint and soft tissue conditions and may help to reduce symptoms, making movement and rehabilitation more manageable.
That doesn't mean everyone with pain needs an injection.
Far from it.
Many musculoskeletal conditions respond well to conservative treatment such as activity modifications, rehabilitation, exercise and hands on treatment such as osteopathy and physiotherapy.
however, there are situations where symptoms remain stubborn, despite appropriate treatment.
When pain becomes the limiting factor
This is something we regularly see within an osteopathic clinic.
A patient may be making progress with their treatment and rehabilitation, but pain continues to limit how much they can comfortably do.
For example, perhaps your osteopath wants to gradually increases the load through your knee or shoulder, but each time you try, pain stops you progressing.
Or you may have reached the point where hands on treatment provides some relief, but symptoms continue to return because you aren't yet able to progress the rehabilitation side of your management plan.
This doesn't automatically mean you need an injection.
but it may mean that it's worth looking at what other pain management options are available.
When might an injection assessment be useful?
At our Sittingbourne injection clinic, Dan is particularly interested in assessing people who have been doing the right things but aren't making the progress they expected.
This might include someone who:
- Have persistent symptoms despite an appropriate period of conservative treatment
- Are struggling to progress their rehabilitation because pain is limiting them
- Have osteoarthritis and needs additional symptom management options
- Have previously responded well to injection therapy but their symptoms have returned
- Would simply like an expert assessment to establish whether injection therapy is appropriate
Dan can assess a range of joint and soft tissue problems including shoulder conditions, knee osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, greater trochanteric pain syndrome and elbow problems.
But the important word here is assess.
An injections isn't always the answer.
Being able to offer steroid injections doesn't mean recommending one to everybody.
Before proceeding, Dan will take a detailed history and perform a clinical assessment. He'll consider your symptoms, diagnosis, previous treatment, medical history and whether an injection is both safe and appropriate.
If Dan doesn't believe an injections is right for you, he won't perform one.
Instead, he'll discuss alternative management options and the appointment will become an assessment and advice consultation.
We think that's an important distinction.
You're not booking a guaranteed injection. You're booking an expert MSK assessment with injection therapy available when clinically appropriate.
Osteopathy, rehabilitation and Injection therapy
Having injection therapy available within our osteopathic clinic gives us another option when managing musculoskeletal pain.
It doesn't replace what we already do.
Your osteopath may still work with you on movement, strength, rehabilitation and long term management. For some patients, an appropriately timed injection may simply help reduce the pain that has been getting in the way of that process.
It's about having more tools available and choosing the right one at the right stage.
The aim is still long term management
Reducing pain is useful, but our bigger goal is helping people regain function.
That could mean getting back to your strengthening programme, returning to work more comfortably, sleeping better or gradually getting back to the sport or activity you enjoy.
A steroid injection can therefore be one piece of the puzzle rather than the whole picture.
FAQ's
Does an injection replace my osteopathic treatment? Not necessarily. For some patients, injection therapy may complement an existing management and rehabilitation plan rather than replace it.
Can my osteopath refer me to Dan? Yes. If your osteopath feels pain is significantly limiting your progress, they can discuss whether an assessment with Dan may be appropriate.
What if I'm not currently seeing an osteopath? That's absolutely fine. You don't have to be an existing osteopathy patient to an assessment with Dan.
What if Dan decided I don't need an injection? You won't simply be sent away. Dan will explain his assessment and discuss alternative management options.
Can I discuss my condition before booking? Yes. If you're unsure whether an injection assessment is suitable, Dan offers a free 15 minute telephone conversation to help establish whether an appointment may be appropriate.
If chronic or persistent pain is stopping you progressing despite appropriate treatment, our MSK Injection Clinic in Sittingbourne gives you another option to explore.
Sometimes the next step isn't about replacing what you're already doing. It's about finding the missing piece that helps you move forward.
