The hip joint is the largest weight-bearing joint in the human body. It is also referred to as a ball and socket joint and is surrounded by muscles, ligaments and tendons. The thighbone ( femur) and the pelvis join to form the hip joint, and any injury or disease of the hip may adversely affect the joint’s range of motion and ability to bear weight. Patients who suffer from arthritis, injury, or mechanical stress of the hip joint may experience hip, buttock, leg, or low back pain. A hip joint injection may be considered for patients with these symptoms. Hip joint injections involve injecting medicine directly into the joint. These injections can help diagnose the source of pain, as well as alleviate the discomfort.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I a candidate for a hip joint steroid injection?
An intra-articular (within the joint capsule) hip steroid injection may be right for you if you experience hip, buttock, leg, or low back pain that is believed to be caused by inflammation or arthritis of the hip joint. Involvement of the hip joint is typically determined by discussing your symptoms and history with your physician who will also want to review any available x-rays and perform a detailed physical examination as well.
What should I expect during my hip joint steroid injection?
Intra-articular hip joint steroid injections are typically performed with the use of a local anesthetic, much like what you’d receive from a dentist while getting a cavity filled. However, some patients prefer IV sedation as well. You’ll be lying down for the duration of the procedure, which usually takes less than 10 minutes to perform. Once you are comfortable, the physician will use a local anesthetic to numb the skin and the needle will be carefully guided into the capsule of the hip joint with the use of x-ray guidance. Once the needle is in place, an anesthetic and steroid will be injected to reduce inflammation and improve your symptoms.
What types of results can I expect from a hip joint steroid injection?
Many patients report immediate relief following the procedure due to the anesthetic medication used during the injection. Occasionally patients may complain of soreness for 1-2 days following the procedure. The steroid used typically takes 2-3 days to take effect, providing more long-term pain relief.