The shoulder is prone to different kinds of injuries and inflammatory conditions. An intraarticular shoulder injection is a minimally invasive procedure to treat pain and improve shoulder movement. It may be performed with the help of ultrasound or fluoroscopic imaging which allows your physician to precisely target the intraarticular space.
The shoulder consists of two joints. The main joint is the glenohumeral joint formed by the head of the upper arm bone or humerus and the glenoid cavity at the side of the shoulder blade. The acromioclavicular joint of the shoulder is formed by the clavicle or collar bone and the acromion, a bony projection of the shoulder blade. The shoulder is supported by muscles, tendons, and ligaments. A rotator cuff is a group of 4 muscles that provide stability to the shoulder and enable arm movements in various directions. A fluid-filled sac called a bursa is present between the muscles and bones to provide lubrication for smooth shoulder movements.
Intraarticular shoulder injections are used for diagnostic as well as therapeutic purposes. Corticosteroids and hyaluronic acid are the most commonly injected medications to relieve pain and inflammation or improve lubrication in the joint.
Some of the common indications for intraarticular shoulder injections include:
- Arthritis
- Frozen shoulder
- Rotator cuff injuries
- Impingement syndrome
- Tendonitis
- Ligament injuries and Bursitis
Your doctor will recommend a joint injection if your symptoms are not relieved by conservative treatments such as oral medications, activity modification, and physical therapy.
The administration of the injection depends upon the condition to be treated. Your doctor may inject the glenohumeral joint or the acromioclavicular joint. The glenohumeral joint is usually approached from the front or back of the shoulder.