Is it okay to get cartilage injections prescribed for shoulder and arm pain?

hello.
These days, I am a patient who is having a really hard time every day because the pain keeps going around as if some part of my body is broken.

In particular, the pain from my shoulders to my arms and back was so intense that it felt like I was alive and aching all over the place, making it unbearable.

Eventually, I started going to an orthopedic surgeon a few days ago and started receiving full-fledged treatment.

When you go to the hospital, you first have an interview with the doctor,

After applying a hot compress to the painful area for about 10 minutes with something like a hot water mat, I sometimes receive ultrasound treatment.
And I've been taking medication, but the pain hasn't gone away dramatically.

Then, the day before yesterday, during the examination, the doctor said that if I softened the cartilage in the shoulder area, it would be much more helpful in relieving the pain. Let's try a 'cartilage injection' He recommended it.

Actually, I have a 'phobia of needles', so when I hear the word 'injection', I get scared.

Since it was my first time hearing about this treatment method, I couldn't make a decision and came back.

When I got home and thought about it, I realized I had a lot of questions.
If there is anyone who has tried this treatment before me, I would like to ask for some advice.

What I am most curious about is the actual effectiveness of cartilage injections.
Does this injection really reduce pain significantly?
And once you get it, I wonder how long the effects last.
What I am most concerned about is whether the injected ingredients will have a negative effect on our bodies.

In particular, the doctor said that he could give me up to 5 injections depending on my condition. Why does this sound so scary?

I have to take five treatments I've never tried before in a short period of time. I'm worried that my immune system will weaken or I'll become addicted to the drugs.
Or, I am more worried that it might cause damage to my liver or kidneys.
Is 5 reps a normal routine?
Or does that mean my condition is that serious?

 

And the cost issue is also a little confusing.
At the hospital, I was clearly informed that this injection was not covered by health insurance and was a non-covered item.
But when I came home and searched the internet, I saw articles saying, "Knee cartilage injections are covered by insurance every six months and cost 10,000 to 20,000 won."

It's the same cartilage injection, but is it true that in some cases the knee is covered by health insurance, but in others the shoulder isn't?
I'm really curious about why the application of health insurance can vary so much depending on the specific area.
I also have some doubts as to whether or not the hospital I go to is the only one that receives non-covered treatment.

My heart feels heavy because there are so many things I don't know.
If there is anyone who has suffered from shoulder pain and received cartilage injection treatment, or if there is anyone who knows about it, please share even a little information.
Any advice would be very helpful to me, such as how painful the injection is, or whether I really need to get all 5 shots to see any results.

Thank you for reading this long post.
I hope you all stay healthy and have a great day!

 

It's a little late, but Happy New Year
& Stay healthy~~