Bursa/Joint Injections

A bursa injection is used to treat and diagnose pain coming from a bursa: a fluid-filled sac that helps reduce wear and friction for tendons. Occasionally, a bursa may become inflamed due to an injury or overuse. This can produce pain with movement or pressure on the bursa. Joint injections are used to help with pain coming from an arthritic joint.

This procedure can usually be performed without the use of x-ray .  Occasionally, fluoroscopy or x-ray will be used. A small needle is advanced into the bursa sac or painful joint. A small amount of local anesthetic and steroid are then slowly injected.

Risks of this procedure are generally small, and most patients tolerate the procedure very well. All interventions include the risk of bleeding and infection. The entire procedure is performed using sterile technique; therefore, the risk of infection is very low. If you are taking blood thinners, our office will coordinate with your prescribing physician to limit the risk of bleeding. Some patients have some discomfort from the needle placement during the procedure. Our physicians use a local numbing medicine to help your comfort during the procedure.

You will be required to have a driver for your procedure. If you are taking blood thinners, our office will coordinate an appropriate date for holding this medicine. You will stay for approximately 15 – 20 minutes after your procedure.

A follow-up appointment will be scheduled after your procedure. If you have any questions or concerns regarding your procedure, please do not hesitate to contact your physician’s office.

Some injections may take 5 – 10 days before you have significant pain relief because the effect of the injected steroids is not immediate. For the first few days, there may be an increase in the pain until the steroids take effect.