Download All About Joint Injections An information leaflet for Parents / Carers

Oxford Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology Centre
All About Joint Injections
An information leaflet for Parents / Carers
Children's Services
This leaflet aims to answer questions and help parents/ carers to understand why
their child needs a joint injection. It also explains the effectiveness and possible
side effects of treatment.
What is it?
A joint injection involves an injection of a steroid medicine into the joint space of
an inflamed joint. This may be done under local or general anaesthetic
depending on the age and ability of the child to tolerate the procedure.
When is this treatment used?
This treatment is used in arthritis that has not settled adequately with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Following their joint injection your child should
continue to take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications as directed by your
doctor.
How effective is this treatment?
Most children respond very well to joint injections with relief of swelling and pain
in a short period of time.
Children with oligoarticular Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis (affecting four or less
joints) and those in whom arthritis has been present for only a short period,
generally respond very well, with the arthritis going away completely for 3-12
months, occasionally much longer.
Approximately 50% of children who receive joint injections remain free of
disease for at least 6 months. Only a very small number of children do not
respond to this treatment at all.
Patient Information
Oxford Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology Centre
Are there any complications?
1. Subcutaneous fat atrophy (loss of fat under the skin) at the site of injection
is an uncommon complication. This presents as a small dimple at the
injection site and may resolve over time. Sometimes the skin at the same site
loses its normal pigmentation (skin colour) as well.
2. Infection of the injected joint is very rare.
If after the injection your child develops a very painful, swollen, hot and red
joint, then you should contact the Paediatric Rheumatology helpline or the
ward where your child stayed when they had the procedure or your GP
urgently, i.e., the same day.
What if my child has to have a general anaesthetic?
Children under eight or those who are having multiple joint injections usually
have these done under a general anaesthetic. Arrangements will be made for
your child to be admitted to Nani ward. You will receive instructions from the
hospital about one week before and this will include advice on missing food/drink
before the procedure.
Your child does not have to stay overnight in the hospital. Your physiotherapist
and doctor will make arrangements for when and where to have follow up
physiotherapy and discuss exercises with you.
Are there any precautions we should take after a joint injection?
Your child should rest for the first 24 hours following the joint injection. Following
this, regular activities should be resumed, this includes going to school, taking
part in PE.
Patient Information
Oxford Paediatric and Adolescent Rheumatology Centre
What if I need further information or advice?
You can contact:
Paediatric Rheumatology Helpline
Pauline Barnes
01865 737656 answer machine
Katherin Passaportis
Physiotherapy 01865 738087
(08 30 am – 4.00 pm Monday to Friday)
Secretary
01865 738049
(9.00 am – 5.00 pm Monday – Friday)
Children day unit at children’s hospital
01865 234148
(any time Monday to Friday including
© Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre NHS Trust
NOC4321 P Barnes
Paediatric Rheumatology/ patient information/ version 1
Date Produced: Dec 2006
Review Date: Dec 2007
Patient Information