Sports & Family Medicine Doctor in Dubai | UPANDRUNNING

Precision Injections, Guided by Ultrasound

World-class spinal and musculoskeletal (MSK) injections, delivered by internationally trained specialists. Every procedure guided in real-time with ultrasound for accuracy, safety, and better outcomes

Why Choose Us  

  • UPANDRUNNING is the preferred musculoskeletal service provider for a number of leading insurance providers including Cigna healthcare.  
  • All injections performed with ultrasound guidance ensuring medication is placed exactly where it’s needed. Ultrasound guided injections are the gold standard with accuracy rates between 95-100%, according to leading research.  
  • UPANDRUNNING is recognised as a regional leader in sports and exercise medicine providing ethical and evidence-based treatments  
  • Procedures are safer, more effective, and less painful than blind techniques. 
  • Delivered by internationally trained specialists with advanced training in sports medicine, pain management, and interventional procedures. 
  • Injectables are often a good alternative to surgery for many back, neck, shoulder, and joint injuries and in some cases can provide reliable pain management which can also buy time and allow more efficient rehabilitation. 

Our Specialists

Our medical team brings together extensive international training across sports medicine, pain management, and interventional procedures. With advanced expertise in both spinal and joint injections, our doctors use the latest ultrasound technology to deliver precise, targeted treatments. 

This unique combination of skills allows us to manage a wide range of conditions, from chronic back and neck pain to frozen shoulder, rotator cuff injuries, bursitis, tendonitis, and complex joint pathologies. By integrating innovative, non-surgical techniques with conservative pain management, our specialists help patients recover faster, reduce pain, and avoid unnecessary surgery. 

Procedures Offered

  • Spinal Injections – nerve blocks, epidurals (theatre based), facet and sacroiliac joint injections, ligament injections, Radio frequency ablation 
  • Ultrasound-guided Joint Injections – steroids, PRP (alternative to stem cells), regenerative therapies, prolo therapy.  

Hydrodilatation & Hyperdissection – advanced treatments for frozen shoulder and nerve entrapments

Who Can Benefit

  • Patients with chronic back or neck pain 
  • Athletes with persistent joint pain 
  • People with shoulder, hip, or knee issues not improving with physiotherapy 

Those seeking alternatives to surgery

JOINT INJECTIONS AVAILABLE AT UPANDRUNNING

CORTICOSTEROID (STEROID) INJECTIONS

HYALURONIC ACID INJECTIONS (VISCOSUPPLEMENTATION)

PLATELET-RICH PLASMA (PRP) INJECTIONS

PROLOTHERAPY

HYDRODISTENSION AND NERVE HYDRODISSECTION FOR JOINT AND NERVE PAIN

EXOSOME THERAPY

ARTHROSAMID INJECTIONS

CORTICOSTEROID (STEROID) INJECTIONS

WHAT ARE THEY

Corticosteroids, often just called “steroids,” are anti- inflammatory medications that can be injected directly into a joint. Steroid injections have been used for decades to treat joint pain.

HOW DO THEY WORK
Steroids reduce inflammation, which is one of the main causes of joint pain. By lowering inflammation, the pain is reduced, and mobility can improve.
CONDITIONS IT CAN TREAT

Osteoarthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis

Bursitis

Tendonitis

BENEFITS

Quick relief from pain and inflammation.

Can be effective from weeks to
months, depending on the individual

Helps improve function and mobility

HYALURONIC ACID INJECTIONS (VISCOSUPPLEMENTATION)

WHAT ARE THEY

Hyaluronic acid is a substance
naturally found in the synovial fluid of joints, which acts as a lubricant and shock absorber. In osteoarthritis, the levels of hyaluronic acid decrease, leading to joint stiffness and pain. Injections aim to replenish this fluid.

HOW DO THEY WORK
By injecting hyaluronic acid into the joint, it helps restore lubrication, reduce pain, and improve the joint's ability to absorb shocks.
CONDITIONS IT CAN TREAT

Osteoarthritis, particularly in the
knee, ankle and hip

Mild to moderate joint degeneration

A newer form of Ostenil injection; can be used in tendinopathies like patellar,
shoulder or elbow

A newer form of Ostenil injection can be used in tendinopathies
like patellar, shoulder or elbow tendinopathies

BENEFITS

Increases joint lubrication, improving mobility

Long-lasting relief compared to steroid injections (effects can last
for several months)

Can delay the need for surgery
in some cases

POST-INJECTION CARE

Rest the joint for at least 48 hours

Avoid standing for prolonged periods or heavy physical activity for a few days

Apply ice to reduce any swelling or discomfort

LIMITATIONS

May not work for severe arthritis

Relief may take several weeks to become noticeable

PLATELET-RICH PLASMA (PRP) INJECTIONS

WHAT ARE THEY
PRP involves taking a sample of the patient’s blood, processing it to concentrate the platelets, and then injecting it back into the joint. Platelets contain growth factors that can promote tissue repair and reduce inflammation.
HOW DO THEY WORK
The idea behind PRP is that the concentrated platelets can speed up the body's natural healing process, potentially helping to repair damaged cartilage and reduce inflammation.
CONDITIONS IT CAN TREAT

Mild to moderate osteoarthritis

Tendon or ligament injuries

Bursitis like greater trochanter pain syndrome (GTPS) [lateral hip pain] or shoulder bursitis

BENEFITS

Uses the patient’s own blood, reducing the risk of allergic reactions

May promote tissue healing and regeneration

Can reduce pain and improve function for several months

POST-INJECTION CARE

Avoid heavy exercise for 1-2 weeks

Take it easy on the joint for a few days, but regular light movement can be helpful

Avoid icing or anti-inflammatory medications for at least 5 days. PRP works by a pro-
inflammatory effect to promote healing

LIMITATIONS

Results can vary; not all patients respond equally

Expensive compared to traditional injections – mostly not covered by insurance

Multiple injections may be needed for maximum benefit

PROLOTHERAPY

WHAT ARE THEY

Prolotherapy involves injecting a sugar solution into the joint, which is thought to trigger the body’s healing response. The goal is to strengthen weakened joints and relieve pain by promoting tissue repair.

HOW DO THEY WORK
CONDITIONS IT CAN TREAT
BENEFITS

Natural healing process

Long-term improvement with multiple treatments

POST-INJECTION CARE

Avoid heavy exercise for a few days

Ice the joint for any soreness

HYDRODISTENSION AND NERVE HYDRODISSECTION FOR JOINT AND NERVE PAIN

Hydrodistension and nerve hydrodissection are two innovative treatments that use ultrasound guidance to target pain from joint degeneration and nerve compression.

  1. Hydrodistension involves injecting a saline solution into a joint capsule, like the shoulder, to gently stretch it. This is often used for conditions like frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), where the joint becomes stiff. By expanding the joint space, pain and stiffness are reduced, improving movement.
  2. Nerve hydrodissection is used for nerve compressions (like carpal tunnel syndrome). A saline or dextrose solution is injected around a compressed nerve to free it from surrounding tissues. This reduces pain and allows the nerve to function better.

BENEFITS

Provides relief from pain and stiffness

Minimally invasive

Quick recovery

Can improve mobility and nerve function

Can delay or prevent the need for surgery

POST-INJECTION ADVICE

Rest the treated area for 24-48 hours

Gradually return to activities as pain decreases

Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activities for a few days

Follow any physical therapy or stretching recommendations from your doctor

Both procedures are safe, effective, and guided by ultrasound to ensure precision.

INNOVATIVE JOINT INJECTION THERAPIES

In recent years, more advanced and cutting-edge therapies have emerged, promising more than just pain relief. Some of these aim to repair damaged tissues and provide longer-lasting benefits.

EXOSOME THERAPY

WHAT IS IT

Exosome therapy is a newer form of
regenerative medicine that uses
exosomes—tiny particles released by stem cells—to communicate with cells and promote healing. Exosomes are packed with proteins, lipids, and genetic material that can stimulate tissue repair and reduce inflammation.

HOW DOES IT WORK
Exosomes act like messngers, delivering instructions to cells within the joint to help repair damaged tissues and reduce inflammation. Unlike stem cell therapy, which involves injecting actual cells, exosome therapy delivers the signals the body needs to heal itself.
CONDITIONS

Early-stage osteoarthritis

Joint injuries

Tendon and ligament injuries

BENEFITS

Non-invasive and does not require the injection of actual cells

Can promote tissue regeneration
and reduce inflammation

Potential for long-term relief from joint pain

May delay or prevent the need for surgery

POST-INJECTION CARE

Rest the joint for 24-48 hours

Avoid intense physical activities for a week

Gradually return to regular activities, as instructed by your doctor

LIMITATIONS

Still relatively new, and long-term effectiveness is being studied

Not widely available in all clinics

Expensive compared to traditional therapies

POST-INJECTION ADVICE: GENERAL GUIDELINES

Stem cells are unique because they can develop into different types of tissues. Injections of stem cells into joints could help repair damaged cartilage, reduce inflammation, and improve joint function. Stem cell therapy is still being studied and is not widely available due to cost and regulatory restrictions.

Rest the joint: After any injection, it’s important to give the joint time to recover. This often means avoiding strenuous activities for a few days or even weeks, depending on the type of injection.

Ice the injection site: If you experience swelling, redness, or soreness at the injection site, applying ice can help reduce these symptoms. The only exception to that is PRP injections where a pro-inflammatory reaction is needed to aid with healing

Gradual return to activities: Even if the injection helps reduce pain quickly, it’s important to ease back into physical activities. Jumping right back into high-impact sports or exercise could risk further injury.

Follow-up appointments: Some treatments require multiple injections, or your doctor may want to assess how well the injection is working. Be sure to keep any follow-up appointments and communicate any changes in your symptoms.

FAQs

What does “ultrasound-guided” mean?
It means your doctor can see inside the joint or spine in real time. This allows the injection to be placed with millimetre precision — no guesswork. 

Why is this important?
Accuracy improves effectiveness, reduces complications, and speeds up recovery.  

Are all injections done this way?
At UPANDRUNNING, yes. We only use ultrasound-guided injections for patient safety and results. 

How do I know if I’m a candidate?
If you’ve had persistent pain, tried physiotherapy, or are considering surgery, our doctors can assess if injections are right for you. 

What is the best option for me?  

There are multiple options for injectables that may help treat your symptoms. We highly recommend that you discuss these with our experts to identify which would work best for your condition. 

Is it covered on Insurance? 

Cortisone, local anesthetic, nerve blocks, joint, tendon and trigger point injections are all covered on insurance/direct billing, policy dependent. PRP may be considered experimental, so we recommend you check with your insurance provider.

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