Pain Management Procedures
Shoulder Joint Injection
Shoulder Joint Injection
What is it?
A shoulder joint injection places medication into the glenohumeral joint, the ball-and-socket joint that provides most shoulder motion. It can reduce inflammation and help determine whether pain is coming from inside the joint rather than from a tendon, bursa, nerve, or the neck.
When may it be recommended?
Common reasons include shoulder osteoarthritis, inflammatory arthritis, adhesive capsulitis, and selected injuries. Treatment options may include corticosteroid, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), or another agent depending on the diagnosis. Hyaluronic-acid “viscosupplement” products are FDA-approved for knee osteoarthritis, not shoulder or hip use; use in another joint is off-label and insurance coverage may be limited.
What happens?
You sit or lie in a position that opens the joint. Ultrasound or fluoroscopy guides the needle into the joint while avoiding tendons, nerves, and blood vessels. Contrast may be used with X-ray guidance. Fluid may be removed for testing before the selected medication is injected.
What should I expect?
The shoulder can feel full or sore for a day or two. Local anesthetic may provide short-lived immediate relief, while steroid benefit can take several days. Protect the shoulder from heavy use as directed. The injection may create a window for physical therapy, but it does not rebuild worn cartilage or repair a torn tendon.
Important risks and treatment differences
All injections can cause bleeding, infection, or a medication reaction. Steroids can temporarily raise blood sugar and, with repeated exposure, may weaken tendons or affect cartilage. PRP uses a concentrated portion of your own blood; preparation and evidence vary by condition, benefit is not guaranteed, and many insurers consider it investigational. The clinician should explain why a particular injectable is being considered.
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.