Shoulder Infiltrations: Pain Relief and Mobility Recovery at Clínica San Román

Shoulder infiltrations are a minimally invasive treatment used to relieve pain and improve mobility in patients with chronic joint conditions or injuries.
At Clínica San Román, this procedure is part of a comprehensive approach to treat shoulder pathologies such as bursitis, rotator cuff tendinitis and arthritis, with the goal of providing effective and lasting relief, avoiding the need for surgery or more invasive treatments.

What are Shoulder Infiltrations?

Infiltrations consist of injecting medications directly into the shoulder joint, with the aim of reducing inflammation and relieving pain.
The most common medications used in infiltrations are corticosteroids, known for their ability to reduce inflammation, and hyaluronic acid, which improves joint lubrication and facilitates movement.
Both treatments help restore function and reduce pain, allowing patients to resume their daily activities more quickly.

At Clínica San Román, infiltrations are an important component of the treatment of a number of shoulder conditions.
The procedure is fast, effective and has a low risk of complications, making it an attractive option for those seeking a non-surgical solution.

What Conditions are Treated with Shoulder Infiltrations?

Infiltrations are especially useful in treating a number of inflammatory or degenerative conditions in the shoulder, including:

• Bursitis: Bursitis occurs when the bursa, a small fluid-filled sac that helps reduce friction in the joint, becomes inflamed.
  This inflammation causes severe pain, especially with arm movement.
• Rotator cuff tendinitis: This condition involves inflammation of the tendons of the rotator cuff, a group of muscles and tendons that stabilize the shoulder.
  Tendonitis can be caused by overuse or injury.
• Adhesive capsulitis (frozen shoulder): Adhesive capsulitis causes stiffness in the shoulder joint, which limits its mobility.
  Injections can help relieve pain and improve flexibility.
• Arthritis of the shoulder: Arthritis is a degenerative condition involving the wearing away of cartilage in the shoulder joint, resulting in chronic pain and loss of mobility.
  Infiltrations provide pain relief and improve joint function.
• Glenoid labrum injuries: The labrum is a cartilage that surrounds the shoulder socket and helps maintain joint stability.
  Infiltrations can be helpful in the treatment of inflammation and pain associated with labral injuries.

The Infiltration Procedure

The process of infiltration of the shoulder is relatively simple and is performed on an outpatient basis at Clínica San Román.
The basic steps of the procedure are detailed below:

1. Medical evaluation: Before proceeding with the infiltration, the specialist will perform a detailed clinical evaluation of the affected shoulder.
   In some cases, an MRI or ultrasound may be requested to get a clearer view of the joint.
2. Preparation of the area: The area around the shoulder is carefully cleaned and disinfected to prevent infection.
3. Guided injection: The medication is injected into the joint using a fine needle.
   In many cases, the physician uses ultrasound imaging or fluoroscopy to precisely guide the needle and ensure that the medication is delivered exactly to the affected area.
4. Immediate relief: Often, almost immediate pain relief is felt due to the local anesthetic used in the procedure, while the full effect of the corticosteroids may take several days to manifest.

Recovery and Aftercare

After infiltration, patients should follow some recommendations to ensure adequate recovery and maximize the benefits of the treatment.
In most cases, it is advisable to avoid strenuous physical activity for at least 48 hours to allow the medication to work effectively.

In addition, rehabilitation with physical therapy may be necessary to strengthen the shoulder muscles and improve range of motion.
The combination of infiltrations and physical therapy is especially effective in restoring shoulder function and preventing future relapses.

Advantages of Shoulder Injections

Shoulder infiltrations offer a number of benefits compared to other treatments.
Among the most outstanding advantages are:

• Fast and lasting pain relief: Injections provide almost immediate pain relief, which can last for several weeks or even months.
• Improved mobility: By reducing inflammation, infiltrations help restore the shoulder’s range of motion, allowing the patient to perform daily activities without discomfort.
• Minimally invasive procedure: Unlike surgery, infiltrations do not require hospitalization and have a very short recovery time.
• Low risk of complications: Although all medical procedures carry some risk, shoulder infiltrations have a low rate of complications, provided they are performed properly.
• Alternative to surgery: For many patients, infiltrations can delay or even avoid the need for more invasive surgical procedures.

Conclusion

Shoulder infiltrations are a valuable tool in the treatment of a wide range of painful shoulder conditions, providing effective pain relief and improving joint mobility.
At Clínica San Román, we have a team of specialists who use the most advanced techniques to ensure that patients receive the most appropriate treatment for their condition.

If you suffer from shoulder pain that limits your daily activities, we invite you to visit Clínica San Román and consult with our experts to determine if injections are the right treatment for you.
With our personalized approach and advanced technology, we will work with you to restore your quality of life and help you regain mobility.