Hip joint injection: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P A hip injection is a shot of medicine into the hip joint. The medicine helps relieve pain and inflammation. It can also help diagnose the source of hip pain.

T Description
P For this procedure, a health care provider inserts a needle in the hip and injects medicine into the joint. The provider uses a real-time x-ray (fluoroscopy) to see where to place the needle in the joint.
P You may be given medicine to help you relax.
P For the procedure:
- You will lie on the x-ray table, and your hip area will be cleaned.
- A numbing medicine will be applied to the injection site.
- A small needle will be guided into the joint area while the provider watches the placement on the screen.
- Once the needle is in the right spot, a small amount of contrast dye is injected so the provider can see where to place the medicine.
- The steroid medicine is slowly injected into the joint.
P After the injection, you will remain on the table for another 5 to 10 minutes. Your provider will then ask you to move the hip to see if it is still painful. The hip joint will become more painful afterwards when the numbing medicine has worn off. It may be a few days before you notice any pain relief.

T Why the Procedure is Performed
P Hip injection is done to reduce hip pain caused by problems in the bones or cartilage of your hip. The hip pain is often caused by:
- Bursitis
- Arthritis
- Labral tear (a tear in the cartilage that is attached to the rim of the hip socket bone)
- Injury to the hip joint or surrounding area
- Overuse or strain from running or other activities
P A hip injection can also help diagnose hip pain. If the shot does not relieve pain within a few days, then the hip joint may not be the source of hip pain.

T Risks
P Risks are rare, but may include:
- Bruising
- Swelling
- Skin irritation
- Allergic reaction to medicine
- Infection
- Bleeding in the joint
- Weakness in the leg

T Before the Procedure
P Tell your provider about:
- Any health problems
- Medicines you take, including over-the-counter medicines
- Any allergies
P Plan ahead to have someone drive you home after the procedure.

T After the Procedure
P After the injection, follow any specific instructions your provider gives you. These may include:
- Applying ice on your hip if you have swelling or pain (wrap the ice in a towel to protect your skin)
- Avoiding strenuous activity the day of the procedure
- Taking pain medicines as directed
P You may resume most normal activities the next day.

T Outlook (Prognosis)
P Most people feel less pain after a hip injection.
- You may notice reduced pain 15 to 20 minutes after the injection.
- Pain may return in 4 to 6 hours as the numbing medicine wears off.
- As the steroid medicine begins to take affect 2 to 7 days later, your hip joint should feel less painful.
P You may need more than one injection. How long the shot lasts varies from person to person, and depends on the cause of the pain. For some, it can last weeks or months.

T Alternative Names
P Cortisone shot - hip; Hip injection; Intra-articular steroid injections - hip

T References
P Provenzano DA, Chandwani K. Joint injections. In: Benzon HT, Rathmell JP, Wu CL, Turk DC, Argoff CE, Hurley RW, eds. Practical Management of Pain. 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2014:chap 71.
P Zayat AS, Buch M, Wakefield RJ. Arthrocentesis and injection of joints and soft tissue. In: Firestein GS, Budd RC, Gabriel SE, McInnes IB, O'Dell JR, eds. Kelly and Firestein's Textbook of Rheumatology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 54.

T Review Date 11/27/2016
P Updated by: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, San Francisco, CA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

