Joint and Bursa Injection

What is a Joint or Bursa Injection?

A joint or bursa injection is a minimally invasive procedure used to deliver anti-inflammatory medication directly into a joint or bursa to reduce pain, swelling, and stiffness caused by inflammation.

What are the benefits of a Joint or Bursa Injection?

Joint and bursa injections are performed to relieve inflammation, reduce pain, improve mobility, and sometimes to aid in diagnosis.

Common Indications:
– Osteoarthritis
Typically the the knee, hip, shoulder
For pain not responsive to NSAIDs or physical therapy
– Rheumatoid Arthritis and Other Inflammatory Arthritides
For joint pain in the setting of psoriatic arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, systemic lupus erythematosus
Used to manage flares or persistent arthritis
– Bursitis or Synovitis
To treat inflammation of bursa or synovial lining
Reduce inflammation and facilitate rehab
– Adhesive Capsulitis (“Frozen Shoulder”)
Helps restore motion and relieve pain
– Diagnostic Purposes
Pain relief following a joint injection may help identify the joint as the pain generator (e.g., hip vs. lumbar spine source)

How does a Joint or Bursa Injections work?

A joint or bursa injection works by delivering anti-inflammatory medication directly into the joint or bursa space to reduce inflammation and relieve pain caused by irritated tissue.

How to prepare for a Joint or Bursa Injections?

‘The first step to determine your eligibility to receive a joint or bursa injection is to perform a thorough physical examination and carefully consider your medical and family history. This step is particularly crucial as steroids may temporarily elevate blood sugar levels in people with diabetes and affect patients with bleeding problems.
-Blood thinners (e.g., aspirin, Plavix, Eliquis, warfarin):
You will NOT need to stop them before the procedure
-Diabetes
Steroids can temporarily raise blood sugar levels. Adjustments may be needed.
– Medical Clearance (if needed)
If you have heart conditions, bleeding disorders, or infections, your provider may require clearance from your primary doctor or specialist.

What to expect after the procedure?

Joint or bursa injections are usually performed in under 20 minutes with the patient’s ability to go home the same day after a short recovery period. If anesthetic medicine was used, the patient may have numbness immediately after the injection but will dissipate in a matter of hours. Patients who have this type of procedure often experience early relief, but this is typically the result of the anesthetics. Once this wears off, it can take 2 to 3 days for the steroids to take effect and provide long-term relief.