Please follow the arrival instructions as set out in your appointment confirmation letter.
You will be asked to complete a health questionnaire prior to the procedure, which will be checked with the Clinician undertaking the procedure who will be a Radiologist or Specialist Doctor. Please ensure you advise the Clinician if you are:
- Taking any of the following medication:
- Warfarin
- Aspirin
- Clopidogrel (Plavix)
- Zyban (Bupropion)
- A diabetic as the steroid may temporarily affect your sugar levels for about 24 hours after the injection, so you will need to carefully monitor your levels of blood glucose and adjust your medication if necessary. If you have haemophilia (meaning your blood does not clot), there could be an increased risk of bleeding into the joint.
- If you have an infection, have recently tested positive for MRSA or been prescribed antibiotics.
- If you are pregnant or think you could be.
The procedure will be explained to you, including any risks and you will have an opportunity to ask any questions. You will then be asked for consent to continue with the procedure. For more information about Informed Consent please visit: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/consent-to-treatment/
The procedure will be performed by a Clinician trained in performing ultrasound guided procedures. The Clinician will explain the benefits and risks of having the injection and will answer any questions you may have.
You will be positioned on the ultrasound couch. The Clinician will perform an ultrasound to identify the area requiring an injection. The skin is cleaned with a sterile solution.
The procedure is performed under aseptic conditions to reduce the risk of infection. A small needle will be inserted into the site of the pain under ultrasound image guidance. A local anaesthetic will first be injected followed by the steroid injection. The needle is removed and a plaster or dressing is applied.
The procedure takes around 15 minutes. Your appointment may take around 30 minutes in total, depending on how you are feeling afterwards.