Therapeutic joint injections are a minimally invasive treatment option used to relieve pain caused by inflammatory joint conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, tendonitis, bursitis and gout. Corticosteroids, used to reduce inflammation and minimize pain as a result, are injected into the affected joint. This medication only affects the targeted area and does not usually side effects in most patients. Joint injections are administered under local anesthesia and only cause mild, brief discomfort for patients.
What to Expect:
After local anesthesia, a needle is maneuvered into the area of interest under fluoroscopic guidance. Correct needle placement is confirmed by using a combination of imaging and injection of a small amount of iodinated contrast. A combination of a short-acting anesthetic, such bupivacaine, and an intermediate to long acting corticosteroid, such as triamcinolone, are then injected. The anesthetic can provide immediate pain relief lasting 4-6 hours while the corticosteroid takes effect approximately 1-2 days after the injection, reaching maximum effectiveness within 5-7 days. The duration of the pain relief varies depending on the severity and reversibility of the patient’s condition. If therapeutic effect is achieved, several injections per year can be performed with few long term consequences.
Our musculoskeletal radiologists are well trained in performing diagnostic and therapeutic injections of multiple joints including:
- shoulder
- elbow
- wrist
- hip
- sacroiliac
- knee
- ankle
- foot
These procedures are done at our Blue Ridge and Cedarhurst facilities.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the purpose of the exam?
Joint injections are commonly performed to give pain relief of problematic joints. Typically a corticosteriod is combined with an analgesic for maximum effectiveness.
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How is the exam performed?
A radiologist will cleanse the area of interest, inject a local anesthetic and then insert an injection needle into the affected joint space. A slight amount of x-ray dye, or contrast, is injected to ensure correct needle placement. When placement is confirmed, the medications are injected.
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Are there any restrictions after the procedure?
No, you can resume normal activities to your degree of tolerance. Expect to have mild tightness or a full feeling in the joint space from the medications for a few days.
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How long will the injection last?
The length of time for relief varies from patient to patient, however many patients have discomfort relieved for up to 6-8 weeks.
Gregory C. Hinn, MD
Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- Head of Musculoskeletal Imaging at Rex Hospital
- BA, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- MD, Bowman Gray School of Medicine at Wake Forest University
- Resident in radiology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center
- Fellowship in diagnostic and interventional musculoskeletal radiology, University of Virginia Health Sciences Center
- Musculoskeletal radiologist for the North Carolina State University Athletic Department.
- Raised in North Carolina
Expertise in musculoskeletal imaging with bone and joint intervention
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 1995
Tracey E. O’Connell, MD
Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- BA, University of Colorado at Boulder
- MD, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Resident in radiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Member, Radiological Society of North America
- Native of California
Expertise in musculoskeletal imaging with bone and joint intervention and abdominal imaging including MRI, MRA, CT, and ultrasound
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2001
Gintaras E. Degesys, MD
Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- BA with high honors, Kenyon College
- MD, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
- Internship and chief resident, Northwestern University
- Fellowship in interventional and abdominal imaging, Duke University Medical Center
- Certificate of Added Qualifi cations in Vascular and Interventional Radiology awarded by American Board of Radiology
- Native of Ohio
Expertise in musculoskeletal imaging, breast intervention, and abdominal imaging and intervention
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2002
Steven R. Carter, MD
Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- BS, University of Virginia
- MS, Medical College of Virginia
- MD, Medical College of Virginia
- Internship in internal medicine, MCV
- Chief resident, diagnostic radiology, Emory University
- Fellowship in musculoskeletal imaging, Emory University
- Member, American Roentgen Ray Society, American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America
- Musculoskeletal radiologist for the Carolina Hurricanes
- Native of Richmond, Virginia
Expertise in musculoskeletal radiology
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2005
Joshua B. Mitchell, MD
Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- BA, University of Virginia
- MD, University of Tennessee College of Medicine
- Internship, Medical University of South Carolina
- Chief resident, Medical University of South Carolina
- Fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology, University of Florida
- Member, American College of Radiology, South Carolina
- Radiological Society, Association of University Radiologists, Radiological Society of North America
- Native of Chattanooga, Tennessee
Expertise in musculoskeletal imaging
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2007
Jeffrey Browne, MD
Musculoskeletal Radiologist
- BS, Boston College
- MD, University of Connecticut School of Medicine
- Internship, St. Raphael’s Hospital
- Residency, Duke University Medical Center
- Fellowship in musculoskeletal radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Member, American College of Radiology, Radiological Society of North America and American Roetgen Ray Society.
- Native of Connecticut
Expertise in musculoskeletal imaging
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2008
Jason R. Harris, MD
Vascular and Interventional Radiologist
- BS, Brigham Young University
- MD, Harvard Medical School
- Internship, Newton-Wellesley Hospital, Newton, Massachusetts
- Residency, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
- Fellowship in vascular and interventional radiology, Duke University Medical Center
- Member, American College of Radiology, Society of Interventional Radiology
- Native of California
Expertise in vascular and interventional and musculoskeletal radiology
Joined Raleigh Radiology in 2008
There is no prep for this procedure.
Image Guided Pain Management - Dr. Jeffrey Browne
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