Hip Injections

Hip joint injections involve injecting medicine directly into the hip joint to diagnose the source of pain or treat pain due to conditions such as arthritis, injury or mechanical stress of the hip joint. Hip pain may be experienced in the hip, buttock, leg or low back. The injection contains a combination of a numbing medicine and cortisone (an anti-inflammatory agent). Numbing medicine delivers temporary relief from pain, provided the hip joint is the source of the pain. It thus serves a diagnostic function and helps to confirm or deny whether the joint is the source of pain. Cortisone serves to reduce the inflammation in the joint providing long term pain benefit.

Procedure

If needed, a relaxation medicine is given to the patient through an IV line. The patient lies face down on an X-ray table. The small area where the injection needs to be given is numbed with an anesthetic. The patient may feel a sting for a few seconds. A small needle is then accurately placed by the doctor into the joint guided by the real-time X-ray images (fluoroscopy). Before injecting the medicine, a contrast dye is injected through this needle into the joint to confirm that the medicine will reach the joint. A combination of anesthetic and anti-inflammatory cortisone is then slowly injected into the joint. The whole procedure usually takes about 30 to 60 minutes.

After the procedure

After the injection, the patient is made to rest for 20 to 30 minutes and is then asked to move the joint, provoking pain. The patient may or may not find a decrease in pain depending on whether the injected joint is the main source of the pain. The patient is also asked to maintain a record of relief in pain during the coming week. Physical therapy may also be recommended. Even when pain relief is significant the patient should increase activities gradually over one to two weeks to avoid reappearance of pain.

Risk and complications

The possible risks of hip injections include: swelling and pain in the joint after the injection, infection, depigmentation of skin, local thinning of the skin and rupture of a tendon.

If the injected hip joint is the source of the pain, the pain may reduce two to five days after the injection. However, if no improvement is found within ten days after the injection further diagnostic tests may be required to ascertain the cause of pain.

Patient Reviews

  • blog leftDon't think you'll find a better combination of physician and support staff! They are all very professional! blog right

    Know More

    blog leftDr Benton is professional and caring. He takes plenty of time to listen to your questions and explains things to your understanding . blog right

    Know More
  • blog leftEasy to make appointment and super friendly staff. blog right

    Know More

    blog leftGreat bed side manner and concern for my care. blog right

    Know More
  • blog leftGreat experience and appreciate time spent discussing options. blog right

    Know More

    blog leftGreat experience, great doctors. blog right

    Know More
  • blog left He was caring, answered questions, encouraged me, gave me shots in my knees, and today I already feel relief of the pain. blog right

    Know More

    blog left He was very kind. informative and respectful. You could tell he cared and wanted us to understand everything he discussed with us. blog right

    Know More
  • blog left I have always been happy and satisfied going to this facility blog right

    Know More

    blog left I was impressed with the short wait time and helpfulness of the staff. blog right

    Know More
  • Play
  • Pause