Joint Injections

A joint injection typically contains a local anesthetic and a corticosteroid. The local anesthetic, similar to what you might receive at the dentist, provides early pain relief, while the steroid suppresses inflammation and decreases swelling for long-term pain relief. In addition to treating joint pain, The injections are used as a diagnostic tool. The local anesthetic has a numbing affect in the joint, and the amount of immediate pain relief experienced will help confirm or rule out the joint as a source of pain. A lot of times during the procedure, fluoroscopy or ultrasound is used to ensure proper placement of the needle and accurate delivery of the medication to the joint area.