Joint Injection
Definition
What is an Intra-Articular Joint Injection?
Injections into joints are intra-articular injections. If you have a swollen or painful joint your doctor may inject a steroid medication into the joint. Sometimes your doctor may inject a local anesthetic (numbing medicine) along with the steroid.
Reasons for having an intra-articular steroid injection: how long it takes to take effect and for how long?
The steroid injection is given to decrease pain and swelling in the joint. How long it takes for the steroid injection to take effect varies between people; improvement usually starts within 1 to 2 days. If helpful, the injection usually lasts from a few weeks to several months.
The Procedure
What is being injected into my joint?
The joint is being injected with steroid medications which are related to cortisone and occasionally a long acting local anaesthetic, that are produced by the body.
Are there any side-effects?
Side effects are very unlikely. Occasionally, the joint is worse for the first 24 hours after the injection. After that the joint normally settles. If the joint becomes more painful after this, please contact Diagnostic Imaging Tel No:01 526 2060 as this could be a sign of infection (a very rare complication). A large number of injections into the same joint may cause damage to the joint.
Who will inject my joint?
A radiologist will do the injection with the aid of a radiographer using fluoroscopy (x-ray) guidance.
How often and how many injections can I have?
There is no firm rule to how often or the limit to the number of injections. However, the effect tends to decrease with repeated injections. There could also be problems from a large number of injections into the same joint. Your doctor will want to avoid repeating injections more often then necessary.
Obtaining the Results
What should I do after the procedure?
You should rest the joint after the injection for the first 24-48 hours, especially after the knee or ankle has been injected.
Follow-up care
A nurse will call you in one week to see how you are doing. If you have any questions or concerns, please call 01 526 2060 to speak with the Radiology nurse.