Intra-articular corticosteroid (cortisone) injection

1/6 What is it?

During the procedure, a fine needle delivers a corticosteroid — an anti-inflammatory medicine — into the joint space.

Because the medicine reaches the problem directly, a local effect is achieved with far less drug than a tablet would require.

This is not the treatment in itself, but part of it. The underlying disease continues to be treated separately.

2/6 Who is it for?

People with inflammation, swelling and pain in a joint who get insufficient relief from medicines taken by mouth.

People with rheumatoid arthritis, psoriatic arthritis and other inflammatory arthritis when one or a few joints are actively inflamed.

People with a flare of pain from osteoarthritis of the knee, shoulder, elbow, wrist or ankle.

It does not suit everyone. Suspected infection in the joint or the overlying skin, a bleeding tendency, and certain medicines can rule it out.

3/6 When to seek care

• One joint is swollen, warm and painful, and has been for weeks
• Painkillers and anti-inflammatory tablets are not giving enough relief
• The pain stops you walking, climbing stairs or sleeping
• You have a diagnosis of arthritis and one joint troubles you more than the rest

If a joint suddenly becomes red, very painful and feverish, infection must be excluded first. In that case the injection is postponed.

4/6 Why it matters

Persistent inflammation in one joint restricts movement, weakens the muscle around it and makes daily life harder.

A local injection can settle that joint without raising the dose of systemic medicines. That reduces the drug load on the whole body.

Once pain eases, movement and physiotherapy become possible — and movement is what protects the joint in the long run.

5/6 How it is done

1. Preparation. Tell the doctor in advance about your medicines, especially blood thinners. Fasting is not required.
2. Locating the site. The joint is examined and the entry point identified. Ultrasound guidance is used where it helps.
3. Antisepsis. The skin is thoroughly cleaned and sterile conditions are established.
4. The injection. A fine needle delivers the medicine into the joint space. If there is excess fluid, it may be drawn off first.
5. Afterwards. A few minutes of rest. Avoid loading the joint heavily that day.

The procedure itself usually takes a few minutes. You feel the needle and a sensation of pressure. Pain may increase temporarily over the first 24–48 hours.

When the effect starts and how long it lasts varies from patient to patient. In some people the effect is small, or absent.

6/6 Where it is done

The procedure is carried out in Baku, at StarLab Clinic, under sterile conditions.

Address: 20 Yanvar str. 88, 5th microdistrict, Baku, opposite the Qızıltac wedding hall.

Booking in advance is advised: +994 55 550 55 69.

You feel the needle going in and a sensation of pressure inside the joint. Many people compare it to having blood taken. A temporary increase in pain over the first day or two is normal.

Frequent, unmonitored repeat injections are not good for cartilage. For that reason an interval is kept between injections into the same joint and the total number is limited. That judgement is made for each patient individually.

Diabetes is not an absolute contraindication, but a steroid can raise blood sugar for a few days. This is discussed beforehand, and you may be advised to check your sugar more often during those days.

Do not load the joint that day, avoid long walks and avoid sport. If redness, swelling or fever develops at the injection site, contact the clinic straight away.