Joint Injections

Joint injections may be used for diagnostic or therapeutic purposes. They may be performed by a trained primary care physician or pain management specialist. When joints are injected with anti-inflammatory corticosteroids, the purpose is to provide temporary pain relief so that the patient can participate in physical therapy and heal properly. Such treatment may be appropriate for patients diagnosed with hip, knee, shoulder or elbow bursitis; carpal tunnel syndrome; frozen shoulder; plantar fasciitis; rheumatoid arthritis; rotator cuff injuries; tennis elbow; and many other conditions. Meanwhile, a type of injection used for diagnostic purposes would include a sacroiliac joint injection. Here, the injection (which is administered by a spine specialist using X-ray guidance) helps in identifying the specific source of pain. Similarly, a combination of cortisone and lidocaine may be used to confirm a diagnosis when the source of a patient’s pain is uncertain in another part of the body.