Ultrasound Guided Injection
What is injected?
Your injection will be made up of local anaesthetic and steroid which can cause some numbness of the area, which should last no more than 24 hours.
Before your appointment
If you are currently taking antibiotics for an infection, your appointment may need to be rescheduled until two weeks after you have completed the course of antibiotics.
If you are due a vaccination, please allow 2 weeks in between having your vaccination and any steroid injections. Please let us know if you need to alter your appointment.
If you have a blood clotting condition (such as haemophilia) please contact us in advance of your appointment.
You will not be able to drive after the injection, therefore please ensure that alternative transport arrangements are made.
Please allow plenty of time for travel, parking and finding the department. It is important that you arrive on time. If you are more than 15 minutes late for your appointment, we will not be able to accommodate the scan, and you will have to rebook.
Accompanying persons into the scan room
Please note, it may not be permitted to allow accompanying adults into the ultrasound room. Accompanying adults may be allowed into the ultrasound room at the discretion of the Sonographer/Radiologist. Please advise us if you have any additional needs prior to your appointment.
We do not to allow children into ultrasound room and do not provide childcare facilities. If you attend your appointment with children, we will offer another appointment.
Before your injection, we will ask you some safety questions to make sure the procedure is safe and suitable for you. To help us review your details quickly and safely, please bring a list of your current medications with you.
Giving consent
The Radiologist or Sonographer explain the process to you and will explain the procedure and ask for your written consent to proceed.
What happens during the injection?
If more than one injection sites are requested, we may not be able to inject both in the same appointment.
One of our Imaging Assistants will be present to support your wellbeing and assist the Sonographer or Radiologist during the scan.
You may be asked to change into a gown, depending on which part of your body is to be scanned.
The room may be dimly lit so that we can see the images produced on the screen more clearly. You may be asked to sit/lie in an uncomfortable position to allow the Sonographer best access to the area to be injected. Please inform the Sonographer if you have any mobility issues.
The injection is carried out using sterile techniques to minimise infection. A numbing spray is applied to the area to be injected in preparation for the injection. Once the injection is complete a small sterile dressing will be placed over the injection site. The appointment should last approximately 30 minutes.
What happens after the injection?
After the injection, you may need to wait about 30 minutes before leaving the hospital and should rest at home for the rest of the day. Normal activities can usually resume the next day but avoid strenuous exercise for a week or 2 weeks if a tendon was injected.
You may not notice the full beneficial effect of the injection for up to 7 days after your injection.
Possible side effects
All drugs can cause side effects; the following occur very rarely with steroid injections.
- Facial flushing: This may occur within 48 hours after the injection. The face can appear flushed and feel warm. This effect usually resolves on its own and does not require treatment.
- Glycaemic control: If you are diabetic, you may notice a slight change in your blood sugar level over the following 5 days. It is advisable to check this.
- Joint or soft tissue infection: This occurs very rarely and takes 5-7 days to develop. If the area becomes hot and painful seek immediate medical advice.
- Post injection flare: Injection may worsen symptoms within the first 24 hours, but this usually resolves in a few days as the steroid takes effect. Taking Paracetamol can help relieve pain, as needed.
- Skin changes: Injections can occasionally cause some skin lightening and a skin dimple due to steroid induced loss of fat tissue at the injection site.
- Steroid injections can sometimes cause temporary changes to women’s periods.
- They can also cause changes in people’s mood – you may feel very high or very low. This may be more likely if you have a history of mood disturbance. If you’re worried, please discuss this with your doctor.
- Bleeding or bruising may occur at the injection site.
- A steroid injection may cause temporary weakening in your immune system which may increase your risk of acquiring or worsening an infection.
Risks
Allergic reactions are very rare and usually occur within 20 minutes of injection. Signs may include a rash, swelling (face, tongue, throat) or difficulty breathing. Seek immediate medical care if these occur. Waiting after injection is often advised for safety.
Tissue around the injection site may be temporarily weaker, increasing the risk of tendon injury or rupture. Avoid excessive activity for two weeks after a steroid injection to reduce the chance of tendon damage.
There is a very small risk of infection after an injection. Signs of infection may be;
- The pain becomes more severe and is not controlled by simple painkillers
- Pain lasting longer than 3 days
- There is increased swelling around the injection site.
- The injection site becomes red and hot
- There is blistering or ulceration of the skin around the injection site
Contact information
Imaging Department - 0121 812 3370 /
If you are unable to keep your appointment it is important that you let us know as soon as you can on the contact details provided above. Failure to inform us may mean that you will not be sent a further appointment in the future.