Bursa Injections

What is a bursa injection?

A bursa is a small sac of fluid which provides lubrication at joints in the body, acting as a cushion between the tendon and the bones. Repetitive movement, injury or inflammation can result in bursitis, causing pain and discomfort. Bursa injections are minimally invasive procedures involving delivery of medicine to the painful spot. The injection will contain a mixture of a local anaesthetic (numbing medicine) and steroid. Ideally physiotherapy and/or stretching exercises should be done alongside the injection therapy, to prevent the swelling and pain from returning.

Are there any risks?

Bursa injections are relatively safe procedures. However, any medical intervention does carry some risks. These include infection, bruising, injection soreness and failure. Occasionally patients report worsening of the symptoms immediately following injections, however this pain tends to go away after a few days. Diabetics may have a short-term increase in the blood sugars from steroid injection, please inform your doctor if you are diabetic.

Before the procedure

• You will receive treatment as an outpatient.

• You may eat and drink as normal.

• Please take your regular medications.

• Please bring a list of your current medications with you.

• Please inform the doctor of any known allergies.

• If there is any possibility that you may be pregnant please inform the doctor.

• Your doctor will discuss the procedure with you and take your consent.

The procedure

• The procedure is carried out in a treatment room.

• Depending on the site of the injection you may either wear your own clothes or a hospital gown.

• You will be asked to sit or lie on a couch.

• The doctor will clean your skin with an antiseptic solution which may feel cold

• The doctor will numb your skin with a local anaesthetic.

• Under the guidance of ultrasound, using a fine needle, the medicine will be injected into the bursa.

•The procedure will only take a few minutes, but your stay in the hospital may be between 30 to 60 minutes.

• If a small dressing has been placed over the needle insertion site, this can be removed the next day.

Following the procedure

•After the procedure, please be careful when you first get off the couch – ensure you are steady on your feet.

• Take your regular medication and painkillers as normal unless advised otherwise by your doctor.

• There is no need for bed rest. You can resume your normal activity from the next day onwards, but avoid any rigorous activity for at least 24 hours following the procedure.

• A letter will be sent to your GP describing the procedure you underwent.

The main purpose of these injections is to facilitate some pain-free period which should provide a window period of opportunity to engage with stretching exercises and make lifestyle changes. The need for repeating the injection depends on how you respond to the bursa injections, pain relief, reduction in the need for pain medications, improvement in physical activity etc.