Subacromial and Trochanteric Bursa Injections
Home Procedures Offered Core/Standard Procedures Subacromial and Trochanteric Bursa Injections
Subacromial and Trochanteric Bursa Injections
Bursa injections reduce inflammation and pain in irritated bursae using a corticosteroid and anesthetic, offering effective relief and improved mobility for patients with chronic pain.
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A bursa is a soft tissue area between two structures, such as bone, muscle, tendon, or skin, which permits the structures to move over one another as it serves to insulate them. Inflammation of a bursa, a sac filled with synovial fluid, may result from friction, injury, or arthritis.
Because every movement rubs against the inflamed bursa, it often causes pain — especially in arthritics and athletes. In such cases, bursa injections for arthritis or bursa injections for athletes can offer significant relief.
The most frequently injected bursae are those located in the shoulder (subacromial bursa) and hip (trochanteric bursa). However, bursa injections may also be beneficial in other body regions, such as the elbow (olecranon bursa) and the knee (prepatellar bursa).
Why would Dr. Abraham recommend bursa injections for pain relief?
If bursitis is suspected as the cause of your symptoms, Dr. Abraham, board-certified anesthesiologist and pain management specialist at New England Advanced Spine and Pain Center for regenerative medicine, would recommend bursa injections for hip pain or bursa injections for shoulder pain.
A small dose of corticosteroid and local anesthetic injection into the bursa may alleviate pain and mobility impairment by reducing inflammation in or around the bursa.
Upper arm pain may also be a symptom of shoulder bursitis, so a shoulder bursa injection is recommended when conservative subacromial bursitis treatment options fail.
Hip bursitis usually happens on the outside of the hip, where the gluteal muscles are. These muscles are located in the buttocks and extend to the top and outside of the upper femur. You are more likely to experience pain when pressing over the bone on the outside of the hip, and the pain may occasionally extend down your thigh.
Trochanteric and subacromial bursa injection success rate is generally high, particularly when performed under ultrasound guidance. However, Dr. Abraham does not recommend bursa injections during pregnancy.
What occurs during bursa injections?
1. Inside an ultrasound room, you will either lie on a scanning bed or lounge in a chair in a comfortable position.
2. Dr. Abraham will identify the bursa by imaging the location to be injected, and will mark the skin to precisely place the needle.
3. The catheter is removed within a minute, after a small quantity of corticosteroid and local anesthetic is injected, typically only a few milliliters.
4. Dr. Abraham will provide you with instructions for the subacromial and trochanteric bursitis injection recovery period and answer the most frequently asked question about how soon can I exercise after bursa injection.
Subacromial and trochanteric bursa injection side effects:
Occasionally, a dull discomfort may persist for a few hours following the procedure, as is the case with any injection. The local anesthetic may cause a temporary numbing in the injection site for 1 to 2 hours. The injection site may experience some bruising and a few blood patches.
The corticosteroid typically functions after 24 hours, and in some cases, it may take up to 3 days.
In some cases, individuals may experience general reactions within the initial few days, including flushing and facial and body redness, which are due to the absorption of the corticosteroid into the body. In diabetics, the absorption of the corticosteroid can elevate blood glucose levels for a few days. Consequently, it is recommended that the blood glucose level be monitored several hours after the procedure.
What is the duration of a bursa injection?
The procedure typically requires no more than five minutes, and the preparation will take approximately fifteen minutes. The process may require up to 30 minutes if Dr. Abraham has requested an ultrasound to evaluate the area of injection.
What are the complications of bursa injections?
This procedure is exceedingly secure and poses minimal risks. Although adverse effects are uncommon, they do occur.
1. The most prevalent complaint is a transient worsening of symptoms that lasts for 1, 2, or even 3 days.
2. In uncommon cases, an allergic reaction may result from an injection of an anesthetic and corticosteroid. Sometimes, individuals develop allergies to the antiseptic solution and dressings.
3. Dr. Abraham ensures that the procedure is performed in perfect conditions, which reduces the tiny risk of infection. He will not carry out the injection if the bursa is infected, the skin over the bursal area is infected, or the skin is broken.
4. The delicate tissues at the injection site are at a small risk of being damaged. This is referred to as tissue atrophy, a thinning or scarring of the skin or subcutaneous fat. It can occur when the injected medication is in proximity to the surface. Deeper structures may also be impacted by tissue atrophy. This is more probable when injections are administered repeatedly at the same site.
What to expect after a bursa injection?
Certain individuals experience temporary pain relief as a result of the injection; however, they subsequently experience recurrence of the pain and question the frequency of bursa injections. Dr. Abraham would prohibit receiving a bursa injection more than three to four times per year to prevent tissue atrophy. This is particularly critical when the injection is administered in regions that have already experienced substantial wear or tear, such as partially ruptured tendons or ligaments.
What are the benefits of a bursa injection?
• The primary objective of a bursa injection is to alleviate inflammation in or near the bursa.
• Occasionally, the injection determines whether the bursa is the source of the discomfort when it has a positive response. If there is no improvement in your pain, it is doubtful that it is originating from the bursa or the adjacent structures, so other causes necessitate investigation.
• For evaluating subacromial bursitis vs rotator cuff tear, bursa injections can also help distinguish between both conditions.
How long do bursa injections last?
The bursa injection may provide symptomatic alleviation for several weeks to several months. Consequently, it is only a part of a comprehensive strategy for the management of your symptoms.
In general, bursa injections vs physical therapy provide faster relief, while patients may benefit from combining both approaches for long-term results.
If you’re comparing the cost of bursa injection or searching online for the best bursa injection doctors near me, choose a board-certified pain specialist like Dr. Abraham, who combines precision imaging with pain management techniques for lasting relief.