Description
Major Joint Steroid Injections are used to treat joint pain, body pain caused by muscle pain, muscle spasms and trigger points. Physicians use joint injections as a diagnostic tool, through the administration of a therapeutic injection into a major joint. An anti-inflammatory steroid medication is injected in conjunction with a local anesthetic to provide short or long-term relief.
During the Procedure
The physician will administer a local anesthetic to the joint being injected. The physician will then administer a contrast dye into the joint, guiding a needle with the aid of a fluoroscope x-ray. The steroid injection is then administered into the joint tissue. The patient may be sedated for this procedure.
Who needs this procedure?
Patients suffering from arthritic pain, injury, or joint straining may be good candidates for steroidal injections.
How long does it take?
This procedure can take between 10-20 minutes.
After the Procedure
The patient may be monitored for 20-60 minutes following the injection. The patient may be advised to rest the day of the injection.
While some injections offer temporary relief, some injections can be used to permanently treat joints.