A bursa is a gel-filled sac that helps muscles and tendons glide over bones during movement. Bursae are found in our shoulders, elbows, hips, knees and other parts of our body. Inflammation of the bursa can cause pain and discomfort during movement. Bursa injections are interventional procedures that can help soothe joint pain caused by arthritis, bursitis and other painful inflammatory diseases.
After infiltration of a local anesthetic to numb your skin, our doctor will then insert a thin needle near the affected bursa or joint which is guided by a fluoroscopy machine (a type of x-ray) or ultrasound. A dye may also be injected to further ensure that the needle is at the correct spot. Once the doctor is sure that the needle is correctly placed, the medicine will be injected.
Once the procedure is completed, you will be monitored for up to 30 minutes. When you are ready to leave, our staff will give you discharge instructions. You can resume normal activities on the same day but always check with your physician.
The patient may not notice the full effect of the nerve block until a few days after the procedure. Pain relief may last many months, at which point the patient may arrange for a repeat injection. Some patients may require two injections in quick succession to elicit an optimal effect.