Managing Inflammatory Arthritis with joint Injections in Edgewater, MD

Inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid or psoriatic arthritis, occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly targets the synovium, the lining of the membranes that encase your joints. This causes the synovium to thicken, leading to swelling, redness, and pain.

Joint injections help manage this by delivering potent anti-inflammatory medication directly into the site of the overactive immune response. Unlike oral medications that must travel through the digestive system and bloodstream, an injection provides a concentrated dose exactly where the tissue is most inflamed. This direct approach helps to quickly reduce swelling, “cool down” the heat in the joint, and prevent the inflammatory chemicals from further damaging the cartilage and bone structure.

At Jean Walter Infusion Center, Dr. Nasser Nasseri, MD utilizes several types of injections depending on the patient’s specific symptoms and disease progression:

• Corticosteroids: These are the most common injections for rapid relief. They are powerful anti-inflammatory agents that mimic the effects of hormones your body naturally produces to fight stress and inflammation.
• Hyaluronic Acid (Viscosupplementation): While more common in osteoarthritis, these “gel” injections can help some inflammatory arthritis patients by restoring the natural lubrication in the joint, reducing friction and mechanical pain.
• Biologic Agents: In some specialized cases, localized biologic treatments or “blocks” may be used to target specific pathways of the immune system that are causing the flare-up.

We prioritize patient comfort and clinical precision during every procedure. When you arrive at our Edgewater facility, the skin over the target joint is thoroughly cleaned with an antiseptic solution. To minimize discomfort, a local anesthetic may be used to numb the area.

Using a fine-gauge needle, Dr. Nasser Nasseri, MD carefully enters the joint space. In many cases, we utilize ultrasound guidance to visualize the joint in real-time, ensuring the needle avoids sensitive nerves and hits the exact pocket of inflammation. If there is excess fluid in the joint (an effusion), Dr. Nasseri may perform an “aspiration” to remove the fluid before administering the medication, which often provides instant pressure relief. The entire procedure usually takes less than 15 minutes.

The speed of relief often depends on the type of medication used and the severity of the flare-up.

• Immediate Relief: If an anesthetic was mixed with the injection, you might feel an initial “numbing” effect that lasts for a few hours.
• Steroid Onset: The primary anti-inflammatory benefit of a corticosteroid typically begins to take effect within 24 to 72 hours.
• Peak Effect: Most patients experience the maximum reduction in swelling and pain about one to two weeks after the procedure. Because inflammatory arthritis involves the immune system, the injection works to “reset” the local environment, allowing you to move more freely as the inflammation subsides.

The duration of relief varies significantly from patient to patient, as it is influenced by the underlying activity of your arthritis. On average, the benefits of a corticosteroid injection can last anywhere from two to six months.

For some patients in a major flare, an injection provides the necessary “bridge” to allow their systemic medications (like DMARDs or biologics) to take over. If the underlying disease is well-controlled with other therapies, the relief from a localized injection may last even longer. At Jean Walter Infusion Center, we monitor your progress closely to determine the optimal frequency of treatments, ensuring we balance effective pain management with the long-term health of the joint tissue.

Dr. Nasser Nasseri, MD is a specialist dedicated to the comprehensive management of complex autoimmune and inflammatory conditions. At Jean Walter Infusion Center, he provides a boutique clinical experience that emphasizes precision and personalized care. Recognizing that inflammatory arthritis is a systemic disease with localized consequences, Dr. Nasseri uses a targeted injection approach to address “problem joints” that aren’t responding to traditional therapy alone. Our center is equipped with the most advanced diagnostic and interventional tools to ensure your treatment is both safe and effective. Under the guidance of Dr. Nasseri and his professional staff, you can expect a high standard of rheumatological care designed to reduce your pain, protect your joints, and improve your daily quality of life.

Don’t let a flare-up keep you on the sidelines. Visit Jean Walter Infusion Center for expert joint injections and comprehensive inflammatory arthritis care in Edgewater, MD, to get back to the activities you love. For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 3168 Braverton St., Suite 330A, Edgewater, MD 21037. We serve patients from Edgewater MD, Riva MD, Davidsonville MD, Annapolis MD, and surrounding areas.