Pain Treatments
Shoulder Bursa Injection
Bursitis is a term that is used to describe when the bursa, which is a small fluid filled sac, is inflamed. The bursa functions as a cushion to protect tendons and muscles from sitting directly on top of a bony structure. Excessive stress and strain can of the tendons and muscles can contribute to the inflammation process and associated pain. Often times, the best solution is to inject medication directly into the bursa to alleviate the discomfort.
is a shoulder bursa injection performed?
The doctor will numb your shoulder with medication near the upper outer shoulder. Then, guided by an x-ray, he will:
Insert a thin needle into your shoulder and look at the placement under x-ray
Inject an anesthetic (for short term pain relief) and steroid or platelet rich plasma (for longer term relief)
The medicines then spread inside the bursa, thereby hopefully reducing inflammation and pain. Usually, the procedure takes less than 15 minutes and you can go home the same day.
How effective is a bursa injection?
What are the risks?
What happens after the procedure?
