Do you suffer from osteoarthritis pain in your knee? The Orthopedic Performance Institute has a treatment for you. We’re one of the few practices in the San Antonio area that offer iovera°. It’s safe, FDA-approved and performed right here in our office.

Do you have a knee replacement surgery scheduled? iovera° can also be used prior to your surgery to help relieve pain and make recovery easier. Patients who received iovera° as part of their recovery plan reported:

• Greater range of motion
• Less difficulty straightening their bent knee
• Less difficulty bending their straight knee

Additionally, studies have shown that iovera° can help reduce opioid use after knee replacement surgery. 68% less opioids were needed during the hospital stay and 45% less opioid medication was needed 12 weeks after surgery. Patients continued to have reduced stiffness at 30 days and improved ability to complete routine tasks at 90 days.

How does it work?

iovera° uses extreme cold to stop nerves from sending pain signals to your brain. Relief is felt immediately and can last up to 90 days.

The iovera° system is a handheld device that lets Dr. Matthews, our sports medicine specialist, apply just the right amount of extreme cold only to the nerves that needs to be targeted — the ones causing you pain. This process delivers immediate pain relief in the time it takes for a routine doctor’s visit, and it doesn’t hurt. iovera° does not contain medicine. It’s also safe and does not damage or destroy any surrounding tissue.

What does the procedure involve?

A numbing agent (topical or injected) is applied to minimize discomfort during treatment. iovera° treatment is not painful. Then, a small probe (called a “Smart Tip”) is inserted into the skin. Under the skin, a precise cold zone forms, which temporarily freezes the targeted nerve. Dr. Matthews will repeat this process until the targeted nerve is blocked. The entire treatment takes about 15 to 30 minutes.

How should I prepare?

It’s easy to prepare for the iovera° treatment. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing that allows for easy access to the knee area (shorts are a good option).

Dr. Matthews will go over your medical history with you, including:

• Any daily medicines you take (e.g., blood thinners, pain medicine)
• Health history and health conditions you have now and/or have had in the past
• Any previous surgery, treatment, or trauma
• Any previous medical diagnosis regarding the treatment area
• If you have a history of keloid (a raised scar after an injury has healed) formation
• If you have a history of reactions to local anesthetics
• If you have a history of sensitivity to pain or cold
• Any open or infected wounds in the treatment area
• If you regularly use anticoagulants such as fish oil, Coumadin, aspirin, or NSAIDS [nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen]

On the day of the procedure, we will assess your pain, clean and mark the treatment area, and numb it prior to the procedure. Wear loose-fitting, comfortable clothing that allows for easy access to the knee area (shorts are a good option).

Are you seeking relief from knee pain and stiffness? Contact the Orthopedic Performance Institute in San Antonio for a consultation with Dr. Matthews about iovera°.

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Intra-articular hip injections refer to a steroid being introduced into the hip joint. It is designed to provide relief to patients with chronic hip pain due to arthritis. The synthetic steroid can be compared to a steroid the body naturally produces and has strong anti-inflammatory properties.

What results can I expect?

Ideally, relief from pain that lasts anywhere from several weeks to several months. It depends on the patient and the severity of the arthritis.

How is the procedure done?

The procedure will be done at an outpatient surgical center. The physician will clean the area to be injected with an antibacterial solution, and numb it using local anesthetic. The physician will use x-ray guidance to determine the precise injection point of the hip joint.

What can I expect the day of my procedure?

Arrive at the surgery center at least a half hour before the treatment has been scheduled. You should bring a responsible adult with you, since you may receive medications that could impair your driving ability. Take your normal medications beforehand (i.e., medications for blood pressure, asthma, heart and pain). Don’t take any blood-thinning medications, such as aspirin.

When you arrive, fill out the necessary paperwork. In the pre-op area, a nurse will ask you some questions regarding your health and give you consent forms to sign. Make sure you alert the nurse of any changes in your medical history and any allergies you may have to certain medications. Your vital signs will be taken and an IV may be started to begin providing pain relief and relaxation.

What happens after the procedure?

You will be transferred to the recovery room area where you will be monitored anywhere from thirty to sixty minutes. Your IV will be removed and you’ll receive written instructions for home care.

Usually, you can go home after about thirty minutes to an hour. Make sure the person you’ve brought with you can stay with you at home for a few hours. Also, don’t overuse the joint for the rest of the day.

Contact Orthopedic Performance Institute in San Antonio or Boerne for an appointment at 210.545.7171 to discuss if intra-articular hip injections to provide you with the relief you seek.

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At the Orthopedic Performance Institute, we’re dedicated to providing our patients with access to the latest and most advanced technology, and that includes imaging. That’s why we proudly offer C-arm fluoroscopy for joint injections.

Similar to an X-ray, fluoroscopy is an imaging technique that uses a continuous X-ray beam. Due to the benefit of real-time imaging, fluoroscopy is a useful tool to ensure joint injections are administered in the most precise and safe way possible—eliminating risks and possible negative results sometimes associated with joint injections.

Dr. Alexandra Matthews

What types of fluoroscopic guided injections are offered?

Intra-articular Steroid Injections
Pain and inflammation caused by osteoarthritis can be significantly reduced by Intraarticular Hip Injections. Patients with a good amount of fluid remaining in the joint usually respond well to Intraarticular Hip Injections. Corticosteroid injections guided directly into the arthritic joint space can relieve pain by reducing inflammation in the tendons and ligaments. Typically, one shot will last for several weeks or months but some people report long-term symptom reduction which remains for to 6 months or longer.

PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Therapy Injections
Platelet-rich plasma therapy, sometimes called PRP therapy or autologous conditioned plasma (ACP) therapy, attempts to take advantage of the blood’s natural healing properties to repair damaged cartilage, tendons, ligaments, muscles, or even bone.

Stem Cell
Stem cell therapy promotes the reparative response of diseased, dysfunctional or injured tissue using stem cells. This procedure is less invasive than surgery and has the potential to speed up and augment repair.

The post Fluoroscopic Guided Injections — Providing Relief with Accuracy appeared first on Orthopedic Performance.