Overview
If you have joint pain due to osteoarthritis your physician may recommend joint injections as part of your treatment plan. Injections of steroid and local anesthetic can provide good lasting relief of pain arising from essentially any peripheral joint to include the knees, hips, shoulders and elbows.
Some joint injections are best performed with x-ray guidance, while others are performed with ultrasound guidance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a joint injection take?
Injections of the peripheral joints usually take 10 to 15 minutes.
How will I feel afterwards?
The use of local anesthetic in the joint will likely improve your usual pain within minutes, but you may have a temporary pressure sensation.
What is viscosupplementation?
Viscosupplementation is the injection of artificial joint fluid into your affected joint. Your physician may recommend this technique if you have arthritis and steroid injections did not provide long-enough relief. Learn more about viscosupplementation.
How long will the relief last?
Relief from steroid injections can last up to several months, while relief from viscosupplementation may be longer.