Our Services

The Alberta Pain Clinic offers a range of injection treatments that broadly fall into the categories of therapeutic or regenerative. The decision for which treatment is most appropriate will be determined based on clinical assessment, diagnostic imaging, and patient preference.

Where possible, we will typically advise against the use of corticosteroids (or NSAIDs) as these can contribute to worsening joint instability and disease progression.

Our Services

The Alberta Pain Clinic offers a range of injection treatments that broadly fall into the categories of therapeutic or regenerative. The decision for which treatment is most appropriate will be determined based on clinical assessment, diagnostic imaging, and patient preference.

Where possible, we will typically advise against the use of corticosteroids (or NSAIDs) as these can contribute to worsening joint instability and disease progression.

Therapeutic treatments

Viscosupplementation

Osteoarthritis is associated with the loss of synovial fluid (lubricant) in affected joints. The injection of hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation) can replenish this lost volume and restore the viscoelastic properties of remaining synovial fluid.

Injectate: Hyaluronic acid

Treatment frequency: Every 3-6 months as needed

Cost: Private pay (some private insurance companies may provide reimbursement)

Trigger point injection

A myofascial trigger point (more commonly known as 'knots') consists of abnormally contracted skeletal muscle and associated fascia. Trigger point injection therapy aims to release this contraction through targeted insertion of hypodermic needles and injection of lidocaine (local anesthetic).

Injectate: Lidocaine

Treatment frequency: Weekly for 3 weeks, then reassess

Cost: Covered by AHCIP

Perineural injection

The impingement of peripheral sensory nerves, often also at trigger point sites, results in pain and inflammation partly due to oxygen and glucose deprivation. Perineural injection therapy aims to reduce such pain by injection of isotonic dextrose in the affected nerves.

Injectate: Lidocaine + dextrose

Treatment frequency: Weekly for 3 weeks, then reassess

Cost: Covered by AHCIP

Botox® for migraines

Botox® is an effective treatment to reduce the total number of headache days for patients suffering from chronic migraines. Botox® injections for chronic migraine follows the PREEMPT protocol, which specifically targets head and neck muscle areas associated with chronic migraine pain.

Injectate: Botox® (onabotulinumtoxin A)

Treatment frequency: Every 3 months as needed

Cost: Botox® eligible for insurance coverage. Injection covered by AHCIP

Therapeutic treatments

Viscosupplementation

Osteoarthritis is associated with the loss of synovial fluid (lubricant) in affected joints. The injection of hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation) can replenish this lost volume and restore the viscoelastic properties of remaining synovial fluid.

Injectate: Hyaluronic acid

Treatment frequency: Every 3-6 months as needed

Cost: Private pay (some private insurance companies may provide reimbursement)

Trigger point injection

A myofascial trigger point (more commonly known as 'knots') consists of abnormally contracted skeletal muscle and associated fascia. Trigger point injection therapy aims to release this contraction through targeted insertion of hypodermic needles and injection of lidocaine (local anesthetic).

Injectate: Lidocaine

Treatment frequency: Weekly for 3 weeks, then reassess

Cost: Covered by AHCIP

Perineural injection

The impingement of peripheral sensory nerves, often also at trigger point sites, results in pain and inflammation partly due to oxygen and glucose deprivation. Perineural injection therapy aims to reduce such pain by injection of isotonic dextrose in the affected nerves.

Injectate: Lidocaine + dextrose

Treatment frequency: Weekly for 3 weeks, then reassess

Cost: Covered by AHCIP

Botox® for migraines

Botox® is an effective treatment to reduce the total number of headache days for patients suffering from chronic migraines. Botox® injections for chronic migraine follows the PREEMPT protocol, which specifically targets head and neck muscle areas associated with chronic migraine pain.

Injectate: Botox® (onabotulinumtoxin A)

Treatment frequency: Every 3 months as needed

Cost: Botox® eligible for insurance coverage. Injection covered by AHCIP

Regenerative treatments

Prolotherapy

Inadequate repair of connective tissue after trauma results in pain secondary to ligament and tendon laxity. Prolotherapy (also known as proliferation therapy) stimulates inflammation and re-initiate this healing cascade, which will then stimulate new collagen formation and repair affected ligaments and tendons.

Injectate: Dextrose

Treatment frequency: Every 1-3 months as needed

Cost: Private pay (some private insurance companies may provide reimbursement)

Platelet-rich plasma

An alternative form of prolotherapy that utilizes platelet-rich plasma (PRP) from autologous blood can also treat pain secondary to ligament and tendon laxity. This approach results in a more rapid inflammatory response and often thus more rapid healing of affected tissue, in comparison to dextrose prolotherapy.

Injectate: Autologous platelet-rich plasma

Treatment frequency: Every 1-3 months as needed

Cost: Private pay (some private insurance companies may provide reimbursement)

Arthrosamid®

Osteoarthritis is also associated with the loss of joint space and increased mechanical pressure. These changes cause persistent and progressive inflammation and pain. Arthrosamid® is a cutting edge novel injection for the management of osteoarthritis that works by incorporating into the joint membrane (synovium) to restore its elasticity and thus reduce inflammation and pain.

Injectate: Polyacrylamide hydrogel (2.5% iPAAG)

Treatment frequency: Once only ***

Cost: Private pay (some private insurance companies may provide reimbursement)