Diagnosis and treatments

Joint and soft-tissue injections

Injections involve local administration of a drug, usually a corticosteroid, into a joint or periarticular structures.

Indications

They may relieve pain in synovitis flares, some phases of osteoarthritis or certain tendinopathies and bursitis, as part of a broader plan.

What they do not do

They do not regenerate cartilage or cure osteoarthritis. Hyaluronic acid, PRP or cell therapies should not be presented as curative.

Risks

Uncommon, but include infection, transient pain flare, local skin changes or raised blood glucose in people with diabetes.

Related content

A hot, very painful and swollen joint, especially with fever, requires urgent medical attention.