Introduction to Joint Injection and Aspiration

Overview
Materials

Image of knee in flexion receiving an injection

Image courtesy of Tara A. Master-Hunter, M.D., under a Creative Commons license: CC-BY-NC.

Term:

2014

Published:

May 8, 2014

Revised:

May 14, 2014

This unit was developed for use during resident sports medicine and orthopedics rotations.

Joint and soft tissue injections are relatively simple, safe, and effective procedures that can be performed by most primary care physicians. This unit is intended to introduce you to several common injection sites and their respective techniques so that you will feel more comfortable in performing the injection independently. As with any clinical procedure, the more injections that you do, the more skilled and comfortable you will become with the process.

View the Introduction to Joint Injection and Aspiration module.

Learning Objectives

Knowledge

Understand the indications, contraindications, risks, and benefits for performing joint injections
Learn techniques for performing injection of several common anatomic sites
Learn about medications that can be used for joint injections
Understand the potential complications of joint injections

Skills

Apply knowledge of joint injections to patient case scenarios

About the Creators

Tara A. Master-Hunter

Dr. Master-Hunter received her medical degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey in 1997. She received the Dean's Letter of Commendation in years 1993-95, and earned Clerkship honors in internal medicine, family practice, obstetrics and gynecology, and pediatrics. She completed her residency training (2000) and a sports medicine fellowship (2001) at the University of Michigan Department of Family Medicine. She sees patients at Chelsea Family Medicine.