Nervous About Needles? We’ve Got You Covered – Comfort Options for Regenerative Procedures

Dr. Nancy Yen Shipley
Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon
Founder, Form & Function Orthopaedics

Let’s be honest: most people aren’t excited about needles. Whether it’s a routine injection or an in-office regenerative procedure like PRP or adipose tissue therapy, it’s completely normal to feel anxious about discomfort. At Form & Function Orthopaedics, we hear this all the time-especially from patients who are ready to try cutting-edge treatments but feel held back by fear of the needle.

That’s why we offer Nitronox™, a patient-controlled nitrous oxide system that helps you stay relaxed and comfortable throughout your procedure.

🧘‍♀️ What Is Nitronox?

Nitronox is a blend of nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and oxygen that helps ease pain and anxiety during in-office procedures. It’s the same trusted system many of us have experienced at the dentist-fast-acting, effective, and safe. But what makes it even better in our office? You control it.

We use a patient-controlled delivery system, which means you inhale only when you want to-giving you real-time control over how much you need to feel calm and comfortable.

💉 When Is Nitronox Helpful?

Nitronox is ideal for in-office treatments like:

  • Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) injections
  • Adipose tissue (fat) harvesting for regenerative therapy
  • Joint injections for arthritis or tendon pain
  • Any minimally invasive procedure that may cause anxiety or temporary discomfort

🌟 Benefits of Nitronox for Regenerative Medicine Procedures

  • Reduces pain and anxiety
  • Works within minutes
  • Wears off quickly-no grogginess
  • Patient-controlled for personalized comfort
  • No IV or sedation required
  • No downtime or need for recovery monitoring
  • Safe and FDA-approved

🚗 Is It Safe to Drive Home After Nitronox?

Yes! One of the biggest benefits of Nitronox is that it wears off within 5–10 minutes after your last breath. There’s no lingering sedation, which means you can safely drive yourself home after your appointment.

Of course, if you’re combining Nitronox with any other medication or sedation, we’ll talk through those details to keep your safety our top priority.

🙋‍♂️ Who Is Nitronox For?

Nitronox is perfect for you if you:

  • Have anxiety around needles or injections
  • Want to feel more relaxed during in-office regenerative treatments
  • Are sensitive to discomfort or prefer gentle care
  • Want to avoid sedation or downtime

🚫 Who Is It 

Not For?

While Nitronox is incredibly safe, it may not be suitable for:

  • People with certain chronic respiratory conditions (like COPD)
  • Patients with a history of vitamin B12 deficiency or certain enzyme disorders
  • Those who are pregnant or trying to conceive (always check with your OB/GYN)

We’ll go through your full medical history and make sure it’s the right fit for you.

🧬 A Better Regenerative Experience

We know regenerative medicine is powerful-but so is your comfort. You deserve to feel safe, informed, and in control at every step of the healing process. Whether you’re coming in for PRP, adipose therapy, or another injection-based treatment, Nitronox is one of the many ways we’re redefining what orthopedic care can feel like.

💬 Ready to Talk?

If you’ve been curious about regenerative options but nervous about the process, we’d love to walk you through it. Comfort is not optional-it’s part of how we care.

📞 Call us at 971-971-HEAL

📍 Visit us in Portland

🌐 Learn more at f2ortho.com

Or follow Dr. Nancy on Instagram at @nancy.md for behind-the-scenes insights.