Orthopedic conditions such as joint pain, tendon inflammation, arthritis, ligament injury, or chronic musculoskeletal disorders are increasingly common, not just among athletes but among adults of all ages. Today, many patients want solutions that are effective, minimally invasive, and capable of reducing pain without surgery. This is where modern injection based orthopedic treatments (excluding PRP) come in.
These injections help relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and sometimes regenerate tissue depending on the therapy. Whether you suffer from osteoarthritis, tendinitis, bursitis, or sports-related injuries, these treatments aim to restore mobility and improve your quality of life with minimal downtime.
This guide explains the most widely used orthopedic injections — how they work, who they are for, and what you should expect along with the latest alternatives used worldwide.
What Are Injection Based Orthopedic Treatments (Non-PRP)?
Injection therapies in orthopedics are medical treatments involving different substances (not including platelet-rich plasma) that are injected directly into the affected joint, tendon, ligament, or soft tissues.

These injections aim to achieve one or more of the following benefits:
Reduce inflammation
Relieve pain
Improve mobility
Protect the joint
Lubricate joint surfaces
Promote healing in targeted areas
Delay or avoid surgery
They are popular because they are quick, safe, do not require anesthesia, and usually allow patients to return to daily activity almost immediately.
1. Corticosteroid Injections (Steroid Injections)
What They Are Used For
Corticosteroid injections are one of the most common orthopedic treatments worldwide. They are primarily used for:
Knee osteoarthritis
Shoulder arthritis and impingement
Hip and spine inflammation
Tendinitis and bursitis
Rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups
How They Work
Steroids reduce inflammation in the injected area. Patients often experience significant pain relief within 24–72 hours.
Benefits
Fast pain relief
Reduced swelling
Improves mobility
Useful for severe inflammation
Limitations
Effects may last a few weeks to a few months
Repeated injections must be spaced properly
Not for long-term repetitive use
2. Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Injections – “Viscosupplementation”
Purpose
HA injections are widely used for knee osteoarthritis and increasingly for other joints like hip, ankle, jaw, and shoulder.
How They Work
Hyaluronic Acid is a natural lubricant in the joints. With osteoarthritis, HA levels decrease. Injecting HA:
Lubricates joint surfaces
Reduces friction
Improves shock absorption
Reduces pain and stiffness
Benefits
Best for mild to moderate osteoarthritis
Helps improve mobility
Long-lasting relief (3–9 months)
Ideal Candidates
Patients who want to delay or avoid knee replacement
People sensitive to steroid injections
3. Ozone Therapy Injections
Ozone therapy has gained popularity as a natural anti-inflammatory and regenerative treatment.
How It Works
Medical-grade ozone is injected into a joint, soft tissue, or periarticular area. Ozone assists by:
Increasing oxygen supply to tissues
Reducing inflammation
Stimulating antioxidant enzymes
Improving cellular repair
Benefits
Drug-free treatment
Helps chronic pain and stiffness
Good for arthritis and spinal issues
Common Uses
Herniated disc pain
Knee arthritis
Muscle spasms
Tendon injuries
4. Prolotherapy (Glucose-Based Regenerative Injection)
What It Is
Prolotherapy is an injection that stimulates the body’s healing response. It typically contains dextrose (glucose) mixed with local anesthesia.
How It Works
When injected into damaged ligaments or tendons:
It triggers a controlled healing response
Strengthens connective tissues
Reduces chronic pain
Best For
Chronic ligament instability
Tendon laxity
Lower back and sacroiliac joint pain
Advantages
Natural healing stimulation
Long-term improvement
Strengthens weak ligaments
5. Stem Cell Injections (MSC Therapy – Non-PRP)
Uses
Mesenchymal Stem Cell (MSC) injections are used for advanced joint degeneration, chronic tendon injuries, and conditions that need regenerative stimulation.
How They Help
Stem cells can:
Repair damaged cartilage
Reduce joint inflammation
Slow progression of osteoarthritis
Improve mobility
Typical Sources
Bone marrow
Fat tissue (adipose-derived)
Important Note
Stem cell therapy availability varies by country and requires strict medical standards.
6. Botox Injections for Orthopedic & Pain Conditions
While Botox is known for cosmetic uses, it also plays a role in orthopedic pain management.
Benefits
Reduces muscle spasms
Relieves chronic neck pain
Helps TMJ (jaw pain)
Useful for piriformis syndrome
Botox works by relaxing overactive muscles and reducing nerve pain signals.
7. Local Anesthetic Injections / Nerve Blocks
Purpose
These injections provide immediate pain relief for:
Nerve entrapment
Sciatica
Acute injuries
Myofascial pain
They temporarily block the pain signal in the targeted nerve.
Benefits
Very fast relief
Helps diagnose the source of pain
Often used before starting physical therapy
8. Orthobiologic Cocktail Injections (HA + Steroid + Anesthetic)
These combined injections offer fast relief + lubrication + inflammation control in one session.
Commonly used for:
Knee osteoarthritis
Shoulder impingement
Hip arthritis
Severe joint inflammation
Who Should Consider Injection Based Orthopedic Treatments?
You may benefit from injection therapy if you experience:
Knee, shoulder, hip, spine or ankle pain
Osteoarthritis (mild to severe)
Tendon injuries (Achilles, rotator cuff, etc.)
Bursitis or synovitis
Sports injuries
Chronic inflammation
Pain not responding to medications or physiotherapy
These injections help many patients delay or avoid surgery, especially when used early.
Expected Results and Recovery
Recovery time is usually short. Most treatments allow returning to your daily routine the same or next day. Some injections provide instant relief (e.g., anesthetic blocks), while others aim for long-term improvement (e.g., HA, stem cells, prolotherapy).
Potential Side Effects
Injection therapies are generally safe. Common, mild side effects may include:
Temporary soreness
Mild swelling
Redness at injection site
Serious complications are rare when performed by experienced specialists.
Cost Comparison Chart: Injection Based Orthopedic Treatments
| Treatment (per session) | Turkey | Europe | USA | UAE | UK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corticosteroid injection | €40 – €150 | €80 – €300 | €150 – €600 | €80 – €450 | €120 – €500 |
| Hyaluronic Acid (HA) / Viscosupplementation | €90 – €350 | €180 – €800 | €350 – €1,400 | €150 – €900 | €250 – €850 |
| Ozone therapy (intra-articular / perilesional) | €40 – €220 | €80 – €450 | €120 – €900 | €120 – €2,400 | €100 – €500 |
| Prolotherapy (dextrose) | €70 – €350 | €120 – €450 | €200 – €900 | €100 – €600 | €120 – €550 |
| Stem cell injection (MSC / BMAC) | €800 – €5,000 | €1,500 – €8,000 | €4,500 – €22,000 | €1,200 – €8,000 | €2,000 – €12,000 |
| Botox for muscle spasm / pain | €50 – €250 | €120 – €450 | €200 – €900 | €80 – €600 | €150 – €400 |
| Nerve block / diagnostic block | €50 – €250 | €200 – €900 | €250 – €1,200 | €120 – €700 | €200 – €1,100 |
| Orthobiologic cocktail (HA + steroid or HA + small biologic) | €120 – €500 | €250 – €1,000 | €400 – €2,500 | €200 – €1,500 | €300 – €1,200 |
Why Choose Cayra Clinic for Orthopedic Injection Treatments?
Cayra Clinic is one of Turkey’s leading centers for advanced orthopedic and regenerative treatments, offering:
Experienced orthopedic specialists
Modern technology and ultrasound-guided injections
A comprehensive range of non-surgical treatments
High-quality care for international patients
Affordable treatment packages
If you want fast, effective, minimally invasive relief from joint or tendon pain, Cayra Clinic can guide you toward the most suitable injection based treatment plan. For Further details visit our about us page and for consultation, contact our expert team to discuss about injection based orthopedic treatments (Non-PRP) through our contact us page and you can also visit our blog page for latest updates of treatments that we offer at Cayra Clinic.
FAQs
How long do orthopedic injections last?
Depending on the treatment, results can last from weeks (steroids) to months (HA, ozone, prolotherapy) or even longer for regenerative therapies (stem cell).
Are orthopedic injections painful?
Most injections cause minimal discomfort. Local anesthesia is often used. Pain is usually mild and temporary.
Can injections delay knee or hip replacement surgery?
Yes. HA, stem cell therapy, prolotherapy, and steroid injections can help patients avoid or postpone surgery.
How many sessions do I need?
Steroids: 1–3 per year
HA: 1–3 sessions
Prolotherapy: 2–6 sessions
Stem cells: usually 1 session
Ozone: 3–8 sessions
Your doctor will tailor the plan.
Can I combine injections with physiotherapy?
Absolutely, combination therapy often leads to better long-term results.