Joint injection

Be sure to tell your doctor

• Blood thinners
• Diabetes. Some medicines raise blood sugar
• Allergies to medicines
• If you have a fever, a cold, or a skin sore near the joint
• How many injections you had in this joint before

How to prepare

• Preparation. Usually nothing special is needed. You can eat as usual.
• Medicines. Do not stop your medicines. If you take blood thinners, tell your doctor. They will decide.
• Clothes. Loose clothes, so the joint is easy to uncover.
• Getting home. If the injection is in the knee or hip, it is best to have someone drive you home.

What to bring

• Your referral
• X-rays and reports about the joint
• A list of your medicines

How it goes

1. You lie or sit so the joint is easy to reach
2. The doctor finds the injection spot, sometimes with ultrasound
3. The skin is carefully cleaned with antiseptic
4. Sometimes the skin is numbed first
5. The doctor puts the needle into the joint and drains fluid, if needed
6. The medicine is injected, the needle is removed, and a plaster is put on

What you'll feel

• A prick and a feeling of pressure in the joint
• If fluid is drained, the feeling of fullness goes away

Afterwards

• Usually rest the joint for 1 to 2 days: no heavy activity or long walks
• Sometimes pain gets worse in the first 24 hours. Cold helps
• You can take off the plaster after a few hours
• The effect often starts after a few days
• If you have diabetes, check your blood sugar more often in the next few days