When joints, tendons, nerves or other soft tissue become injured and inflamed there are numerous methods employed as treatment. Conservative therapies include simple rest, physical therapy, medication and bracing. Injections with therapeutic medications may also be warranted and curative. Injections offer faster therapeutic benefits than other conservative management and when appropriate, they are a powerful treatment tool.
By depositing a small dose of anti-inflammatory medication into the soft tissue surrounding an area of inflammation, damage resistant to other modalities may finally be repaired. The injection procedure is fairly simple. The skin overlying the area is cleaned with alcohol and a mixture of anesthetic and steroid is carefully injected.
If an injection is being done to treat the inner surface of a joint, betadine or some other sterilizing agent is used in place of alcohol. The risk of infection is not greater in a joint than in other areas, but the danger infection may cause in a joint can be more serious. But know that the procedure is one considered straight-forward by most physicians, and any risks are small.
A physician must be expert in their knowledge of the pertinent anatomy and in the injection technique. The diagnosis must be correct for symptomatic relief. Risks of any injection include bruising at the site, infection, and the disappointment of less than perfect curative outcomes. Depending on the anatomic area of injection, there may be additional risks, but a physician will discuss these before consent is obtained.
After receiving an injection, a patient must ice the area to diminish acute inflammation. There may be some soreness from the trauma of the injection, or from simple irritation that some people experience in response to steroids. One should not exert themselves immediately but normal activities can all be resumed 24 hours after an injection.
