Hip injections can be used for diagnostic and for therapeutic purposes. There are many different types of injections that can be performed. The most common injection is of hydrocortisone. There are other injections such as PRP (platelet rich plasma) and stem cell (bone marrow aspirate concentrate). These purport to have healing factors or cells in them to help regenerate cartilage.
Diagnostic hip injection: Occasionally patients may present with pain that is not in a typical location for hip joint pain. Commonly hip pain arises in the groin area. Pain presenting on the side or in the buttock may be unrelated to the hip joint (ball and socket joint) and possibly related to the back or the soft tissues around the hip. In these instances an injection can help clarify where the pain stems from. This is often done in patients before hip arthroscopy or those who have back and hip problems simultaneously.
Therapeutic hip injection. Patients with chronic pain secondary to early osteoarthritis or other conditions such as trochanteric bursitis ( lateral hip pain from a bursa on the side of the hip) may benefit from injections.
Hydrocortisone injections are best given infrequently and preferably no more than two or three in a 12 month period. There is some evidence that PRP injections are effective in early arthritis. However this may require up to three injections at weekly intervals. PRP injection is obtained from processing your own blood. Blood is collected and put in a centrifuge to help separate cells known as platelets. The platelets tend to have factors that promote healing of cartilage. The platelet layer of cells is removed and injected into the joint.
Most hip injections are given under x-ray guidance and local anaesthetic. The hip is a deep joint unlike the knee where injections can be given in clinic. Doing the injection under x-ray improves the accuracy of the injection and enables effective placement of the medication at the location of the pain. A water soluble X-ray dye is used to improve the accuracy even further ensuring that the medication is delivered within the joint capsule. This dye contains traces of iodine. In case you have an iodine or shellfish allergy please inform me of this to avoid using the dye.
I perform hip injections as a day case procedure at Highfield hospital. There is no special preparation that needs to be done before the injection and it is advisable to avoid intense activity for 24 hours after. Most injections instantaneously relieve pain due to the effect of the local anaesthetic. There is a delay in action of the steroid which is why once the local anaesthetic wears off some pain may return. The steroid may take 24 to 48 hours to take effect and demonstrate benefit.
If you wish to avail of this treatment (hydrocortisone or PRP injections) please contact below.