Joint Injection: Shoulder

What is a Shoulder Joint Injection?

A shoulder joint injection is a simple, low-risk procedure where medication is delivered right into your shoulder joint to help ease pain and reduce inflammation. It’s often used to treat ongoing shoulder issues and may include steroids, numbing medicine, or lubricating fluids. Your doctor might use imaging to guide the injection for better accuracy. These injections can help both with relieving pain and figuring out what’s causing it.

Conditions Treated with Shoulder Joint Injections

Shoulder joint injections can help with a variety of shoulder problems, including:

• Arthritis – Like osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis that makes the joint feel stiff and achy.
• Frozen Shoulder – A condition that limits how far you can move your shoulder.
• Rotator Cuff Injuries – Such as tendinitis or small tears that cause pain when lifting or rotating your arm.
• Bursitis – Inflammation in the small fluid-filled sacs (bursa) around the joint.
• Impingement Syndrome – When tendons or the bursa in the shoulder get pinched or irritated.

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Benefits of Shoulder Joint Injections

There are a few solid reasons why doctors recommend these injections:

• Pain Relief – Most people notice less pain not long after the injection.
• Better Movement – They can help restore motion if stiffness is getting in the way.
• No Surgery Needed – It’s a non-surgical option that can still deliver strong results.
• Targeted Help – The medication goes right where it’s needed.
• Quicker Recovery – You might find it easier to get back to normal routines sooner.

What to Expect During the Procedure

In preparation for the procedure, the shoulder is cleaned and sanitized. Local anesthetic is administered to numb the tissue at the injection site. The physician may choose from multiple needle approaches, depending on which part of the shoulder requires treatment.

The physician carefully guides a needle into the shoulder joint. The physician may guide the needle with the help of an x-ray device called a fluoroscope. If so, the physician may inject contrast dye to confirm the needle’s placement.

When the needle is in position, the physician injects a mixture of anesthetic and steroid medication. The medication will help reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

When the injection is complete, the needle is slowly withdrawn. The injection site may be covered with a small bandage. For many patients, extended pain relief begins within two to three days of the injection. In some cases, it may be necessary to repeat the procedure once or more to receive the full benefit of the treatment.

Post-Procedure Care and Recovery

After your injection, here’s what you’ll want to keep in mind:

• Take it easy for a day or two — skip heavy lifting or workouts.
• Manage any soreness with ice or over-the-counter meds.
• Ease back into activities as your shoulder starts feeling better.
• Keep an eye out for signs of infection like redness, swelling, or warmth — let your doctor know if you notice anything off.
• Follow up with your provider to check progress and plan next steps if needed.

If shoulder pain is getting in the way of your daily life, we’re here to help. At New York Pain Care, our shoulder joint injections in NYC offer a simple, non-surgical way to relieve inflammation and discomfort so you can get back to moving with ease. Book a consultation with our caring pain specialists and start feeling better, faster.

New York Pain Care
20 Squadron Blvd, Suite 290
New City, NY 10956
(212) 242-8160