Infiltrations

As part of an infiltration, one or more substances are injected into a region of the body, e.g. in tendons, muscles, joints or near the spine. The targeted application to painful areas results in rapid and effective pain relief. Another advantage of local application is the lack of systemic side effects. There are various substances that can be used for infiltration and are selected individually depending on the clinical picture. Local anesthetics are most commonly used in combination with cortisone. Other substances that can be used are hyaluronic acid, autologous blood (PRP) and Traumeel®.

Depending on the substance used, infiltrations have the following effects on the body:

• Local anesthetics (local anesthetics): Relief of pain
• Cortisone: inhibition of inflammatory processes
• Hyaluronic acid: improves the gliding ability in the joint
• Autologous blood (PRP)Stimulation of self-healing processes in the body
• Traumeel®: Relief of pain, inhibition of inflammatory processes

Local anesthetics quickly lead to pain relief. In combination with cortisone, they also inhibit inflammation. The typical dreaded side effects of cortisone (weight gain, high blood pressure, increased blood sugar) are not to be expected due to the local and short-term application.

Hyaluronic acid is one of the main components of connective tissue and synovial fluid. It serves as an artificial synovial fluid and thus improves the gliding ability of the joint.

Another substance is autologous blood, which is intended to stimulate self-healing processes in the body. Autologous blood (PRP) is often used in combination with hyaluronic acid for joint infiltrations.

Traumeel® is a homeopathic remedy that contains plant-based active ingredients such as St. John's wort, camomile and marigold.

Infiltrations are used for a wide range of orthopaedic conditions. These include acute and chronic pain in particular, where conservative therapy has not yet produced satisfactory results. Infiltrations are never used as the sole pain therapy, but only in combination with other therapeutic measures.

Infiltrations are used for the following orthopaedic diseases, among others:

• Joint pain
  • Shoulder joint: e.g. for impingement syndrome, pain in the biceps tendon, frozen shoulder
  • Hip joint: e.g. for trochanteric bursitis
• Back pain 
  • Facet joint arthrosis(facet infiltration)
  • SI joint syndrome(SI joint infiltration)
  • Herniated disc(periradicular therapy)
• Osteoarthritis 
• Painful muscle tension
• Pain in tendons
  • Pain in the biceps tendon 
  • Achilles tendon pain 

Facet infiltration:

In the case of facet joint arthrosis, joint wear of the small intervertebral joints, a facet block can contribute to significant pain relief. This involves pain treatment of the intervertebral joints (facet joints) and their immediate surroundings. After local anesthesia, medication is injected precisely into the facet joints under the control of an imaging procedure such as ultrasound or X-ray. As facet joints at different levels of the spine are often affected, several injections may be necessary.

ISG infiltration:

In cases of persistent pain in the sacroiliac joint and unsuccessful pain and physiotherapy, local infiltration of pain and anti-inflammatory preparations near the joint or directly into the joint can improve the symptoms.

Periradicular therapy:

In particularly severe cases of a slipped disc, periradicular therapy can be carried out, in which painkillers are injected close to the irritated nerve root.

In the vast majority of cases, infiltrations are performed on an outpatient basis and without anesthesia. A session lasts between 20 and 40 minutes, depending on the clinical picture, including preparation and follow-up. As a rule, two to four sessions are necessary to achieve long-term pain relief.

After thorough disinfection and a subsequent local anaesthetic, the infiltration can begin. The needles are applied precisely using computer tomography, an X-ray or ultrasound. Sterile disposable instruments are used to avoid infection. Sterility is particularly important when infiltrating joints, as the immune system is very weak in these areas.

With regard to the substances used, it can be stated that local anesthetics with or without cortisone are used in particular for pain and irritation. Hyaluronic acid is primarily used in the context of osteoarthritis and Traumeel® is mainly used for painful conditions of tendons or muscles. The selected substance can be injected into the affected area of the body using thin needles. After the infiltration, you should remain in our practice for about half an hour for observation.

Possible side effects and risks may include

• Pain at the puncture site
• Bruising
• Rarely: Infections

Normally, infiltration is a safe procedure with few side effects. If pain occurs at the injection site after the treatment, painkillers from the group of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be taken. In rare cases, infections may occur.