Pain Management Procedures
Hip Joint Injection
Hip Joint Injection
What is it?
A hip injection places medication into the ball-and-socket joint. It can help reduce inflammation and can clarify whether pain is truly coming from inside the hip rather than the back, SI joint, tendons, bursae, or nerves.
When may it be recommended?
Common reasons include hip osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, or diagnostic evaluation of groin-centered pain. Options may include corticosteroid or PRP. Hyaluronic-acid viscosupplement is FDA-approved for knee osteoarthritis, not hip osteoarthritis; hip use is off-label and often not covered.
What happens?
Because the hip is deep and close to major blood vessels and nerves, imaging guidance is used. You lie on your back or side while ultrasound or fluoroscopy guides a needle into the joint. Contrast may confirm position with X-ray guidance. Fluid can be removed for testing, then the selected medication is injected.
What should I expect?
The hip or leg may feel temporarily numb. Soreness can last a day or two. Local anesthetic response provides diagnostic information; steroid benefit may take several days. Relief varies and does not restore damaged cartilage.
Important risks and planning
Risks include bleeding, infection, medication reaction, temporary blood-sugar elevation, pain flare, and injury to nearby structures. If hip replacement is being considered, injection timing matters because injections too close to surgery may affect infection risk; coordinate with the orthopedic surgeon.
Preparing for your injection procedure…
Your instructions will depend on the procedure. Before any injection, tell the APG team if you:
Take aspirin, warfarin, clopidogrel, apixaban, rivaroxaban, or another medicine or supplement that affects bleeding. Never stop a prescribed blood thinner unless the clinician who manages it and the procedure team tell you how to do so safely.
Have diabetes, glaucoma, a bleeding disorder, an active infection, fever, or recent antibiotic treatment.
Could be pregnant, have an allergy to contrast dye or local anesthetic, or have reacted to steroid injections before.
Use an implanted pacemaker, defibrillator, spinal cord stimulator, or other electrical device.
Some procedures require fasting, a medication adjustment, or a responsible adult to drive you home, especially when sedation is planned. Follow the instructions provided for your specific appointment.
After your injection procedure…
Most injections are outpatient procedures. Mild soreness, bruising, temporary numbness, or a brief increase in the usual pain can occur. Follow the activity and bandage instructions you receive. Steroid medicine may take several days to have an effect and can temporarily raise blood sugar.
Call the office promptly for increasing redness, drainage, fever, severe or rapidly worsening pain, or new numbness or weakness. Seek emergency care for trouble breathing, chest pain, sudden loss of bladder or bowel control, a severe new headache, loss of vision, stroke-like symptoms, or rapidly progressing weakness.
This information is for general education and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Not every procedure is appropriate for every patient, and results vary. Your APG care team will review your symptoms, examination, imaging, medical history, medications, and prior treatment before recommending a plan. Coverage requirements also vary by insurance plan.