Injection Therapy in Orthopaedic Practice

Reviewed by Greg Jaroszynski MD, FRCSC | Last updated May 2026

Injection therapy can help diagnose and treat pain arising from joints, bursae, tendons, tendon sheaths, ligaments, and other musculoskeletal structures.

Injections are usually part of a broader non-surgical treatment plan. They may reduce pain and inflammation, improve function, help confirm the source of symptoms, or allow a patient to participate more effectively in physiotherapy and rehabilitation.

Key point: Injections alone are typically not enough. They should be part of a structured management program based on a careful history, physical examination, review of imaging, and accurate diagnosis, and combined with appropriate lifestyle adjustment, activity modification, physiotherapy, strengthening, weight management when appropriate, and other non-surgical measures. Injections are usually intended to reduce symptoms and improve function; they are typically not intended to cure most structural orthopaedic problems.

How injection decisions are made

The choice of injection depends on the diagnosis, the tissue being treated, the patient's age and health, the severity of arthritis or tendon disease, previous treatment, medication risks, and the patient's goals.

Some injections are used mainly to confirm where pain is coming from. Others are used to reduce pain or inflammation. Many are most helpful when they create a window of opportunity for exercise, physiotherapy, strengthening, activity modification, or weight management when appropriate.

Scientific context

The scientific evidence for injections varies by diagnosis, injection substance, target tissue, and patient selection. Corticosteroid, hyaluronic acid, PRP, and cell-based treatments should not be grouped together as if they have the same evidence, purpose, or expected result.

For the detailed guideline statements and scientific background, see these major publications and patient resources:

Current practice position: In my practice, I consider PRP to be the best injection option currently available when injection therapy is appropriate for symptomatic degenerative meniscal pathology or early knee arthritis. This does not mean that PRP reliably regrows a meniscus or reverses arthritis. The goal is symptom improvement and better function, ideally as part of a broader rehabilitation plan.

General principles Anatomical targets Injected substances Safety and expectations

Common injection topics

These focused pages explain common searches in more direct language while linking back to the full Injection Therapy section.

PRP injections PRP for knee arthritis PRP for degenerative meniscal pathology PRP for tennis elbow Cortisone injections Hyaluronic acid gel injections Shoulder injections

Frequently Asked Questions

Are injections a cure?

No. Injections are usually intended to reduce symptoms, improve function, or help identify the source of pain. They do not usually cure arthritis, regrow cartilage, repair a severely damaged meniscus, or reliably heal a full-thickness tendon tear.

Which injection do you prefer for early knee arthritis?

When an injection is appropriate for early knee arthritis, I currently consider PRP to be the best available injection option in my practice. The goal is symptom improvement and better function, not reversal of established arthritis.

When are steroid injections useful?

Corticosteroid injections can be useful for short-term relief when inflammation is contributing to pain, such as an arthritic flare, bursitis, synovitis, or tenosynovitis. The effect is variable and should be used thoughtfully.

What are gel injections?

Gel injections are hyaluronic acid injections. They are most commonly discussed for knee arthritis. Some patients improve, but results are variable and they do not rebuild cartilage or reverse arthritis.

Do injections replace physiotherapy or lifestyle adjustment?

No. Injections work best when they are part of a structured management plan that may include activity modification, strengthening, stretching, weight management when appropriate, medication when safe, and physiotherapy.