What Are Therapeutic Injections?

Therapeutic Injections for Foot & Ankle Pain

Delivering Targeted Relief for Pain and Inflammation

Therapeutic injections are a common, minimally invasive procedure used to treat a wide variety of foot and ankle conditions. The procedure involves delivering a small amount of potent medication directly to the specific source of pain, inflammation, or injury. This targeted approach provides more rapid and effective relief than oral medications, which have to travel through the entire body.

At City Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, our foot and ankle surgeon are highly skilled in administering therapeutic injections safely and precisely, often using ultrasound guidance to ensure the medication reaches the exact area of concern.

Why Use a Therapeutic Injection?

Injections are a powerful tool in a comprehensive treatment plan for several key reasons:

• Targeted Delivery: It places powerful medication right where it is needed most, maximizing its effect on the problem area.
• Powerful Pain and Inflammation Relief: It breaks the cycle of pain and inflammation, providing a crucial window for healing and allowing you to engage in other therapies.
• Diagnostic Tool: A local anesthetic can be used to numb a specific joint or nerve. If the pain disappears, it confirms that the injected area is the source of the problem.
• Facilitates Rehabilitation: By significantly reducing pain, injections make it possible to perform essential physical therapy exercises and stretching, which are key to long-term recovery.

Types of Injections Used in Foot and Ankle Care

We use several types of injections, each with a specific purpose:

• Corticosteroid Injections: This is the most common type of therapeutic injection. Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication that provides rapid and effective relief from swelling and pain in joints and soft tissues.
• Local Anesthetic Injections: These are numbing agents (like lidocaine) used to provide temporary, localized pain relief. They are used to numb an area before a minor surgical procedure (like an ingrown toenail removal) or for diagnostic purposes.
• Alcohol Sclerosing Injections: This is a specialized treatment for Morton’s Neuroma. A series of injections with a dilute alcohol solution is used to shrink the irritated nerve tissue, thereby reducing pain signals.
• Hyaluronic Acid Injections (Viscosupplementation): These injections contain a gel-like substance that mimics the natural fluid in your joints. They are used to lubricate arthritic joints, particularly the ankle, to reduce pain and improve function.

What Conditions Are Treated with Injections?

Injections are a highly effective non-surgical treatment option for many common foot and ankle conditions:

• Plantar Fasciitis and Heel Pain
• Arthritis
• Nerve Pain (Morton’s Neuroma, Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome)
• Tendonitis and Bursitis
• Painful Cysts (such as Ganglion Cysts)

The Injection Procedure: What to Expect

We strive to make the injection process as quick and comfortable as possible.

1. Preparation: Your specialist will precisely locate the area to be injected, sometimes with the assistance of an ultrasound machine for pinpoint accuracy. The skin over the area will be thoroughly cleaned and sterilized.
2. The Injection: A very fine needle is used to administer the medication. You may feel a brief pinch or pressure sensation as the medication is delivered. The procedure itself usually takes less than a minute.
3. Aftercare: A small bandage is applied to the injection site. We will provide you with specific post-procedure instructions, which may include resting the area, applying ice, and temporarily modifying your activities. It is common to experience full relief after a few days as the medication takes effect.

Safety and Considerations

Your safety and well-being are our top priority.

• All injections are performed under sterile conditions to minimize the risk of infection.
• Corticosteroid injections are used judiciously. There is a limit to how many can be administered in a single area over time to protect the health of your body’s tissues.
• It is essential to provide us with a complete medical history, including all allergies and current medications, before the procedure.