Injection therapy
Injection therapy is a treatment that can be prescribed by our podiatrists at Macclesfield Podiatry for the improvement of painful foot and ankle conditions that are associated with inflammation.
What is injection therapy?
At Macclesfield Podiatry we provide injection therapy fora number of painful conditions affecting the foot and ankle. Injection therapy involves using a needle to inject either a steroid or ostenil into a joint space or soft tissue. The aim of injection therapy is to improve both pain and function of the structure affected.
What types of injection therapy do you offer?
Macclesfield Podiatry offer two forms of injection therapy, these are steroid injections and ostenil injections.
Steroid injections
A steroid injection, sometimes referred to as a cortisone injection, may be offered at Macclesfield Podiatry to treat pain associated with inflammation. Inflammation can occur in a number of joints and soft tissues of the ankle and foot, resulting in pain, restricted movement, and impaired function. A steroid is not a painkillerdirectly,instead it is a powerful anti-inflammatory. The steroids ability to reduce inflammation means that they can reduce pain that is the result of inflammation.
Steroid injections contain cortisone and a local anaesthetic. Cortisone is a type of hormone that the body produces when it is under stress. The cortisonethat the body produces naturally is released into the blood stream and is short acting (it does not last long), whereas the cortisone that is used at Macclesfield Podiatry is a synthetic form that is delivered directly to where it is needed, this means it does not go into the blood stream and so systemic side effects are avoided. The synthetic cortisone used in injection therapy is long acting, giving greater respite from symptoms because the effects last much longer.
Ostenil injections
At Macclesfield Podiatry our podiatrists use ostenil injections to treat a condition called hallux limitus, which affects the big toe joint. Hallux limitus is an osteoarthritic condition that can result in inflammation, pain and restricted movement at the big joint.
Ostenil injections contain hyaluronic acid, which is an ingredient that aids in the restoration of synovial joints that have been damaged by osteoarthritis; the big toe joint is a synovial joint. Synovial joints produce synovium, which is a liquid that helps to lubricate the joint allowing it to be mobile. Synovium contains hyaluronic acid;hyaluronic acid is the ingredient that enables synovium to perform the following key functions:
- It protects against wear and tear of cartilage by keepingthe bones of the big toe slightly apart.
- It acts as a shock absorber for cartilage in between the join.
- It lubricates to the big toe joint.
- Itis a filter that lets nutrients in, and that blocks anything harmful.
If you have osteoarthritis of the big toe joint it means that the synovium is destroyed at a faster rate than it is produced, as a result it stops working. An injection of ostenil aims to replace the lost synovium in order to improve inflammation, pain and movement of the big toe joint.
What problems can injection therapy help with?
Ostenil injections are suitable only for hallux limitus, which is an osteoarthritic condition that affects the big toe joint.
Steroid injections may be suitable if you are experiencing pain due to:
- Morton's neuroma
- Capsulitis
- Plantarfasciitis
- Gout
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
Before a steroid or ostenil injection isprescribed you will be required to have an assessment with us at Macclesfield Podiatry so that we can establish suitability for the procedure. The administering podiatrist will make the decision as to whether or not you are suitable for injection therapy, their decision takes into account a number of factors, including age,medication, medical history, previous treatment, and severity of the problem.
What are the benefits of injection therapy?
If you have pain affecting the joints and/or soft tissues of the foot and ankle you may benefit from injection therapy. The following benefits may be achieved following injection therapy:
Steroid injection
- A reduction in inflammation and any associated pain
- Less side effects than oral steroids
- Steroid is given, and has it effect at the site where it is required
- Steroid injections help to preserve the affected join and preserve its function
- The injection is administered quickly and easily by a podiatrist
- Quicker onset of action than other anti-inflammatories
- More effective than other anti-inflammatories
Ostenil Injection
- Reduction in pain
- Improved mobility of the big toe joint
- Freedom from osteoarthritis
- Inflammation is reduced
- Results can last for several months
- Quick procedure
How do I arrange an appointment?
