Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

At the Joint Clinic, physiotherapy, massage, and supervised stretching and strengthening exercise programs are a cornerstone for complete or near complete recovery for tendon and joint disorders. We do not recommend injections as a first line of treatment.

Which Joints do you inject?

We do not inject the spine. We only inject the following joints: elbows, fingers, shoulders, hips (bursitis), knees, toes.

Do I need a referral from my family doctor to see you?

While it is recommended that you have your family doctor's office fax us a referral (Fax: (519) 720-0282) it is not absolutely necessary. You should just make sure that your OHIP card is valid. Ideally, you should have received an initial work-up by your family physician or orthopedic surgeon of the joint in question including a diagnosis, and imaging (xrays, ultrasounds, MRI). We do not assess or treat arthritis of the spine (cervical, thoracic, lumbar) or chronic pain syndromes.

Why doesn't OHIP cover some of the injections?

OHIP covers steroid injections into a joint done using only anatomical landmarks recognized by the physician. Treatments such as viscosupplementation (e.g., Synvisc, Monovisc, etc.) and Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) treatments are not covered by OHIP.

Steroid Injections

How often can I get a steroid injection?

Some joints may be safely injected repeatedly. Generally steroid injections can be safely performed on a joint 2-3 times annually. During your consultation at our Clinic, your physician will advise you further.

Synvisc® (Viscosupplementation) Injections

How often should I get Synvisc® injections?

The initial treatment is one injection in the affected joint weekly for a total of three injections (Synvisc One® is a one-time injection). This is repeated every six months to a year.

Autologous Platelet-Rich Plasma (A-PRP) Injections

How often should I get A-PRP injections?

The initial treatment is one injection in the affected joint once monthly for a total of three injections. This may be repeated annually for therapeutic relief up to two years duration.

What areas can be treated with A-PRP?

There are several areas in your body where A-PRP can be used to stimulate healing and regeneration:

• Osteoarthritis of the knee and hip
• Tendonopathies (shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, ankles, etc.)
• Partial tendon tears
• Ligament and tendon strains
• and more.

 

For more information, please contact our Clinic.