What is an intra-articular hip injection?

An intra-articular hip injection is a procedure that involves injecting medication into the hip joint to provide pain relief. Hip pain may be caused by arthritis, a sports injury, or excessive overuse such as with running. This injection is done to relieve pain and inflammation that is caused by the hip joint itself. 

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Who is a candidate for intra-articular hip injections?

Those that could benefit from these hip injections have symptoms that include:

• Pain in the groin region

• Pain worse when standing on the affected hip

• Stiffness in the hip joint

• Decreased range of movement of the hip

• Pain with moving the hip

• "Locking" of the hip joint

• Achy or burning pain around the hip

• Grinding sensation when moving the hip

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What are some of the conditions that these injections are used for?​​

• Hip Arthritis

• Hip Labral Tear

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What to expect during the procedure?

An x-ray called a c-arm is placed over the painful hip while the patient is lying on the x-ray table. This c-arm is used to take pictures of the hip joint as a thin needle is directed to the joint. The c-arm machine ensures that the needle goes to the right place and and into the joint. Once the needle is inside the joint, a mixture consisting of numbing medicine and a powerful anti-inflammatory steroid is injected through the needle. This injection should decrease inflammation in the hip joint, ultimately providing pain relief. 

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For more information or to discuss an appropriate treatment plan for your hip pain with one of our specialized pain management physicians, call Saint Louis Spine and Joint Pain Specialists today.

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