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Intra-articular injection demonstrated at Brij Medical Centre, Kavi Nagar.
Introduction

Joint Injections Glucocorticoid

Injection of Glucocorticoids is given to reduce pain and inflammation and thereby encourage healing in many different types of inflammatory and non-inflammatory conditions.

Common Indications Of Glucocorticoid Injections

A healthcare professional administers a vaccine at Brij Medical Centre.

Intra-articular Injections

  • For relief of pain and inflammation in inflammatory arthritis
  • Treatment of synovitis not responding to drugs
  • To correct deformity

Local Injections are used for

  • Enthisopathies like Tennis elbow
  • Compressive neuropathies like Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
  • Tenosynovitis

Epidural Injections are given for

  • Simple Low back pain not responding to treatment
  • Prolapsed Inter-vertebral Disc with Root Pains

Nerve Injections or blocks

  • Post infection neuropathies like Post herpetic neuralgia.
  • Neuralgias like Trigeminal neuralgia.
A healthcare professional administers a treatment at Brij Medical Centre.

Contra-indications And Complications

  • Introduction of infection
  • Skin atrophy at injection site (by long acting Glucocorticoids in local injections)
  • Increased pain due to Crystal deposition leading to synovitis.
  • Tendon rupture (by inadvertent injection in the tendon)
  • Temporary loss of Diabetic control in case of brittle Diabetes.

Note: All these problems can be avoided by proper technique and good pre-evaluation

Post-injection Advise To The Patients

  • Pain may increase after the injection for a day or two.
  • Benefits are delayed and take a few months
  • The site of injection or joint should be rested for 24 to 48 hours
  • The effectiveness of the procedure depends upon many factors like a large swollen joint will respond better than a joint with crepitus and instability with major damages as seen on X-rays.
  • Post injection exercise and mobilisation should be carried out as advised by the doctor
  • The joint should be supported or splints should be used to get the best results
  • No strenuous activity should be done for five days after the injection