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Home Spine & Pain Associates Procedures Hip Joint Injection

Hip Joint Injection

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What is the hip joint and why is a hip joint injection helpful?
The hip joint is a large joint where the leg joins the pelvis. It usually hurts from arthritis although there are other less common causes of pain from this joint. When the joint becomes painful it can cause pain in its immediate region or it can refer pain into your groin, buttock or leg.

This injection helps to confirm or deny the joint as a source of the pain and treats any inflammatory component that may exist. The injection can be helpful as a treatment of hip osteoarthritis. It also may be used to guide surgical options.

What happens during the procedure?
The skin over the front of your hip will be well cleaned while lying on your back. The physician will numb a small area of skin which may sting for a few seconds. Next, the physician will use X-ray guidance to direct a very small needle into the joint, and then he will inject several drops of contrast dye to confirm that the medicine goes into the joint. Then, a small amount of numbing medicine and anti-inflammatory cortisone will be slowly injected.

What happens after the procedure?
A dressing may be applied to the injection site. You will remain in the office for about 15 to 20 minutes and the nurse will monitor your blood pressure and pulse. The nurse will review your discharge instructions and you will be able to go home. You may experience numbness or weakness to the affected limb for a few hours after the procedure. If this happens do not walk without assistance. Your physician may refer you to a physical therapist while the anti-inflammatory steroid is still working.

General Pre/Post Instructions

Eating

You may eat a light, but not full meal at least one hour before the procedure, unless receiving intravenous sedation. If you are an insulin dependent diabetic do not alter your normal food intake.

Medications

Take your routine medications before the procedure (such as high blood pressure and diabetes medications) except for those that need to be discontinued five days before the procedure such as aspirin and all anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. Motrin/Ibuprofen, Aleve, Relafen, Daypro). These medicines may be re-started the day after the procedure. You may take your regular pain medicine as needed before/after the procedure. If you are taking Coumadin, Heparin, Lovenox, Plavix or Ticlid you must notify the office so that the timing of stopping these medications can be explained.

Exercise

You must bring a driver with you. You may return to your current level of activities the next day including return to work.

Things that may Delay the Procedure

If you are on antibiotics please notify our office; we may delay the procedure. If you have an active infection or fever we will not do the procedure.