Joint infiltration is a noninvasive treatment involving injecting corticosteroids and a local anesthetic into a joint. It helps relieve pain, improve mobility, and prevent other invasive therapies. However, there are several risks associated with joint infiltration. Here are a few things to consider before having the procedure.
A recent study found no relationship between facet joint infiltration and MRI grading of facet joint degeneration. In addition, there was no clear correlation between the MRI grading of facet joint hypertrophy and reported pain relief. Therefore, this study is not conclusive. Further research is needed to determine facet common infiltration's sensitivity, specificity, validity, and reliability.
A facet joint infiltration procedure involves injecting a corticosteroid medication directly into the facet joint to reduce inflammation. Patients generally undergo this procedure after other treatments have failed. It is essential to understand that facet joint infiltration is a highly technical procedure that requires a radiology department. To perform this procedure, the doctor will use CT or X-ray imaging to guide the needle's trajectory and determine the specific injection site.
An arthrogram is a diagnostic test that reveals the exact structure of the joint. The test uses X-rays or sound waves to create real-time images of the joint. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes and can be done with a CT scan or MRI. After the test, you may experience slight soreness or swelling around the joint. Afterward, it would help if you avoid heavy lifting or intensive exercise for a few days. The arthrogram allows radiologists to visualize the contents of the hip joint. It also provides for immediate collection of hip-joint fluid, which can be analyzed in the laboratory if the infection is suspected.
An epidural abscess is an infection that develops in the space between the brain lining and the bones of the skull. It can also form between the lumbar spine and spinal cord bones. It creates a pocket of pus and results in pain, swelling, and pressure on the spinal cord. The infection may also affect the patient's sensation or physical movement. Therefore, it's essential to treat this condition as soon as possible.
Inflammatory markers in the blood may indicate a lumbar epidural abscess, and a culture of the joint-infiltrated tissue may identify the causative organism. In addition to clinical examination, MRI may help the physician visualize the spread of infection throughout the spinal canal and epidural space. It may also provide information about the effects of the disease on the spinal cord and the cause of equine nerve roots.
Air embolism during hip joint arthroscopy has been reported in several cases and is a potentially life-threatening complication. This complication results from the obstruction of the pulmonary artery outflow tract by air bubbles during arthrography. The air may be drawn into the joint by negative pressure or forced into the vein. The initial symptom of air embolism is a sudden drop in respiratory parameters. The patient may also experience an elevated heart rate.
Air embolism during hip joint arthroscopy may be suspected when changes in the patient occur soon after air injection. For example, if the ETCO2 and blood-oxygen concentrations suddenly decrease after contrast injection, the patient may have an air embolism. In one case reported by Keidan et al., an 18-month-old male infant with DDH suffered an air embolism during hip joint arthrology. During the examination, the patient suddenly decreased oxygen and ETCO2 levels.
Joint injections are a nonsurgical option for the treatment of osteoarthritis. Board-certified pain specialists administer these injections. These injections can provide long-term relief of pain and help to prevent the need for joint surgery. However, the results of these injections vary widely among patients and are subject to several factors.
Corticosteroids are potent anti-inflammatory of medicine that are injected directly into the affected joint. A doctor may also administer a slight anesthetic before administering a steroid injection to reduce the pain. Although this relieves the patient, the drug wears off a few hours after the injection. As a result, the pain in the knee may return a day or two after the procedure. However, the injections work well in controlling pain and reducing inflammation in the knee.