Interventional Radiology Joint Injection

A joint injection (or intra-articular injection) is a procedure used in the treatment of inflammatory joint conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, tendinitis, bursitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and occasionally osteoarthritis. A hypodermic needle is injected into the affected joint where it delivers a dose of any one of many anti-inflammatory agents, the most common of which are corticosteroids.

What to Bring

• Your physician order (your physician may have already sent this to us)
• Personal ID
• Insurance Card
• Medication List

How to Prepare

• No pain medications 4 hours prior to procedure so consent can be obtained.
• Patient should arrive 30 minutes prior to scheduled procedure.
• Please inform the nurse or technologist if you are pregnant.
• If you wear an on-body device (insulin pump, insulin regulators, Neulasta, other chemo/insulin devices, etc.), you must inform your technologist.

What to Expect

• You will be positioned on the procedure table.
• The joint will be exposed, cleaned, shaved if necessary and draped.
• You will be given an injection of a local anesthetic to numb the area.
• A thin needle will be guided into the joint space and medication will be delivered through that needle.

After the Procedure

The interventional nurse will give you specific instructions for care after the procedure.