What is an MSK Injection

In this procedure, images are used to accurately guide a needle into an injured or abnormal musculoskeletal (MSK) area. Mainly used for therapeutic reasons, this procedure provides patients with a highly effective pain relief option without the need for major surgery or a general anaesthetic.

The injection usually includes a corticosteroid and a numbing agent such as local anaesthetic. 

 

Understanding your procedure

Before your procedure:

There is no special preparation necessary. 
On the day please ensure you:

  • Wear comfortable clothing with easy access to the site being treated. 
  • Let us know if you are taking any blood-thinning medication such as Warfarin.

When you arrive:

  • Please check in with reception.
  • You will be taken to the procedure room where our radiologist, or imaging assistant will explain the procedure and ask for your consent.

 

During your procedure:

  • We will clean your skin with antiseptic before the needle is administered to prevent infection.
  • Our specialist radiologists use ultrasound-guidance or fluoroscopy (x-ray) to inject the local anaesthetic and corticosteroid into the inflamed joint, tendon or bursa. 
  • Our radiologist may decide to do a preliminary ultrasound scan if this has not been undertaken previously. 
  • You will usually only need to allow 10-15 minutes for your injection.

 

After your procedure:

  • Patients often feel immediate relief due to the combination of medications administered. 
  • We will dress the injection site when the procedure is complete. There is not usually much bleeding.
  • Depending on the body part injected, you may not be able to drive for 12 hours and you will need someone to drive you home. You will be advised if this is the case by our booking specialists before your appointment.
  • A few hours after your procedure it is likely that your pain will return, as the effects of the local anaesthetic wear off and the corticosteroid hasn’t started working.
  • We recommend that you don’t exercise or do any strenuous activity for up to a week after your procedure.
  • It may take time before you feel noticeable improvement as the corticosteroid begins working between a few days and several weeks, depending on the patient. 
  • For some patients, their symptoms completely disappear. 

Frequently asked questions

  • This procedure is particularly useful for patients with sports injuries or conditions such as arthritis.

  • These injections can often eliminate the need for invasive surgery or a general anaesthetic. It is also faster, safer, better tolerated and more cost effective than surgery.
  • If you suffer from a musculoskeletal injury or condition, this procedure is a great option to help ease pain and inflammation, providing both short- and long-term relief.
  • The reduction in pain that this procedure provides may make physiotherapy more effective.

Ultrasound provides real-time images of internal body structures; such as bursae, joints, muscles, nerves, tendons, blood vessels and internal organs. This allows our radiologists to guide a needle with great accuracy into an injured or abnormal MSK area.

Fluoroscopy provides real-time images of bones by using a continuous x-ray beam which projects images onto a large screen, similar to a TV. This allows our radiologists to guide a needle with great accuracy into an injured or abnormal joint.

If the radiologist does your injection using fluoroscopy, contrast dye may be used to verify correct placement of the needle. This is not necessary if using ultrasound.

As with any medical procedure, there are some risks that you should be aware of:

  • Bleeding or bruising at the site of the injection.
  • A ‘flare’, where there is a temporary increase in pain within the first 48 hours after the procedure. This can be treated with regular painkillers.
  • Facial flushing and redness.
  • A very small risk of infection (1 in 15,000).

Yes, you're welcome to bring up to two support people with you to your appointment. If you require more than two, please contact us so we can work with you to find a solution that meets your needs. 

Support people usually cannot enter the procedure room. 

Please note: for some examinations, a support person may not be able to enter the scan room for safety, privacy or clinical reasons. Our team will talk you through this if it applies to your appointment. 

If you need to bring children, please make sure another responsible adult comes with you to supervise them throughout your appointment. Our team need to focus on your care and cannot supervise children.  

If arranging childcare is difficult, please contact us before your appointment. We will do our best to find an option that works for you, so childcare does not prevent you from receiving care. 

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