Template:Short description Template:Infobox medical intervention In medicine, a joint injection (intra-articular injection) is a procedure used in the treatment of inflammatory joint conditions, such as rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis, gout, tendinitis, bursitis, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome,<ref name="CarpalTunnelReview.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and occasionally osteoarthritis.<ref name="freedict">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Wen2000">Template:Cite journal</ref> A hypodermic needle is injected into the affected joint where it delivers a dose of any one of many anti-inflammatory agents, the most common of which are corticosteroids. Hyaluronic acid, because of its high viscosity, is sometimes used to replace bursa fluids.<ref name="Wen2000" /> The technique may be used to also withdraw excess fluid from the joint.<ref name="freedict" />
Efficacy in osteoarthritisEdit
In osteoarthritis, joint injection of glucocorticoids (such as hydrocortisone) leads to short term pain relief that may last between a few weeks and a few months.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Injections of hyaluronic acid have not produced improvement compared to placebo for knee arthritis,<ref name=Rutjes12>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> but did increase risk of further pain.<ref name=Rutjes12/> In ankle osteoarthritis, evidence is unclear.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The effectiveness of injections of platelet-rich plasma is unclear; there are suggestions that such injections improve function but not pain, and are associated with increased risk.Template:Vague<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
A 2015 Cochrane review found that intra-articular corticosteroid injections of the knee did not benefit quality of life and had no effect on knee joint space; clinical effects one to six weeks after injection could not be determined clearly due to poor study quality.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Another 2015 study reported negative effects of intra-articular corticosteroid injections at higher doses,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> and a 2017 trial showed reduction in cartilage thickness with intra-articular triamcinolone every 12 weeks for 2 years compared to placebo.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> A 2018 study found that intra-articular triamcinolone is associated with an increase in intraocular pressure.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
Ultrasound-guidedEdit
Usual standards for musculoskeletal interventional procedures apply include review of previous imaging, informed consent and appropriate local anesthetic.
The use of a high-frequency (> 10 MHz) linear array transducer is recommended, but lower-frequency curvilinear probes may be occasionally required to visualize deep structures in larger patients. A preliminary diagnostic sonographic examination, including color Doppler of the area to be punctured is necessary to define the relationship of adjacent neurovascular structures.<ref name="YeapRobinson2017">Initially largely copied from: Template:Cite journal
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY 4.0)</ref>
Injections should be performed with adherence to aseptic technique although this varies between institutions and radiologists attributable to resources, training, perceived risk and experience.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> In a survey of 250 health professionals in the United Kingdom, 43.5% believed infection rates were < 1/1000 following intra-articular injections, 33.0% perceived rates were < 1/100, and 2.6% perceived the risk as negligible.<ref name="YeapRobinson2017"/> Sterile preparation of the entire injection field, including adjacent skin where the gel and probe are applied, is recommended. Areas of superficial infection such as cellulitis or abscess should be avoided to prevent deeper spread.<ref name="YeapRobinson2017"/>
After planning a safe route of access, a line parallel to the long axis of the transducer is drawn on the skin adjacent to the end of transducer where the needle will be introduced. Once the patient's skin is sterilized and initial needle entry is made adjacent to the mark, the probe can be returned quickly to the same location and orientation by aligning to the skin mark. The needle is directed toward the intended target by a freehand technique. The needle size, length and type should be selected based on the site, depth and patient's body habitus. 22–24G needles are sufficed for most injections.<ref name="YeapRobinson2017"/>
As an example, ultrasound-guided hip joint injection<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> can be considered when symptoms persist despite initial treatment options such as activity modification, analgesia and physical therapy.<ref name="YeapRobinson2017"/>