Risk

This is typically only in the short term, but can lead to a sustained increase in symptoms. This is most commonly seen in carpal tunnel syndrome, although this risk remains less than 0.1%.

is a rare but serious complication. It is to reduce the risks of this that I will advise rest for at least 5-7 days following the procedure, and gradual return to any heavy joint loading following injection.

As with any surgical or medical intervention, there is an increased risk of infection. There is thought to be around a 0.05%- 0.0002% increased likelihood of septic arthritis. Signs of septic arthritis include a fever, increasingly swollen hot joint and increasing pain. If you find this you should speak to your GP or out of hours clinician for assessment without delay.

This is at site of injection, and can come on in the days or weeks following injection. Although the frequency of occurrences following joint injections is unclear, this is thought to occur in around 0.5% of all cases, and usually spontaneously resolves within one year.

These include feeling flush or faint, allergic reaction, menstrual irregularity, vascular damage, small risk of temporary immunosuppression reducing the immune response against virus & bacteria.

Diabetics may notice a transient rise in their blood glucose in the days following injection and so may need to monitor their levels closely.

This is always a possibility with any medical or surgical intervention. While we see fantastic results, the pains may not resolve, or may return.

Especially if on anticoagulants, which is why I ask for INR to be below 3.0 prior to injection for those on warfarin. Bleeding from the injection site would be stopped before leaving the clinic, but any further bleeding should be stopped with firm pressure for a minute or two and a simple plaster. Haemoarthrosis (bleeding into joint) is found in up to 0.15% of those on blood thinning medication. This risk is lower in patients not taking blood thinning medications.