Steroid Injection
What is a steroid injection? | Before the procedure | During the procedure | After the procedure | When to call the doctor | Contact us
What is a steroid injection?
This procedure involves injecting steroid medication into a painful joint space. It will help decrease the swelling in the joint space, and help mobility of the affected joint.
You and your child will need to go to Interventional Radiology, located at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center in Location A. The procedure will be performed by one of our interventional radiologists.
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Before the procedure
If your child does not require general anesthesia or sedation, they may eat and drink until the time of the procedure. An Interventional RN or technologist will call with specific instructions at the time of scheduling. Loose fitting clothing is recommended for the procedure.
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During the procedure
If your child will be awake during the procedure, he / she can watch TV or listen to music.
The interventional radiologist will use image guidance -- with fluoroscopy, a moving X-ray, or ultrasound -- to see the affected joint space. This helps guide the steroid medication into the joint space.
Your child's skin may be numbed with a special patch before the steroid medicine is injected. The skin will be cleansed with an antibacterial solution and a small needle with more numbing medicine will be inserted into the joint space. The steroid medication is then injected into the area.
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After the procedure
When your child gets home he / she will need to rest and stay off of the affected joint. You should receive specific instructions from your child's doctor prior to the procedure. Your child should not experience any drainage, redness or extreme pain at the injection site.
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When to call the doctor
Please call your doctor if your child has any of the following:
- Drainage
- Swelling
- Extreme pain at the injection site
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Contact us
For additional information on this or any Health Topic, please call the Family Resource Center, 513-636-7606, or your pediatrician.
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Written 3/04; Rev 5/06
