II. Indications
-
Tendinitis adjunctive therapy
- May reduce pain and improve function in the short term
- Should be accompanied by other Tendinitis specific management (e.g. physical therapy)
- Regions
- Shoulder
- Elbow Epicondyle Injection
- Hand
- Hip
- Knee
III. Contraindications
- Significant Tendon Injury or partial rupture
- Recent or multiple injections at the same site
- Avoid repeat injection within 3-4 months
- Infection (overlying Cellulitis, bacteremia)
- Uncontrolled Diabetes Mellitus
- Coagulopathy
IV. Adverse Effects
- Specific adverse effects
- Tendon rupture or atrophy
- Fistula formation from the tendon sheath
- Z-Tracking needle (redirecting needle when within subcutaneous fat) reduces fistula risk
-
General injection related adverse effects
- Local infection
- Bleeding
- Systemic effects of Corticosteroids (e.g. Hyperglycemia)
- LAST Reaction (e.g. intravascular injection of Anesthetic)
V. Technique
- See regional indications above for specific tendon approaches
- Informed Consent
- Identify landmarks (anatomy, Ultrasound) and mark injection site
- Prepare injection site (e.g. Chlorhexidine, Povidone Iodine)
- Insert needle (consider z-tracking), advancing slowing and stopping if Paresthesia
- Aspirate for intravascular location
- Inject slowly at insertion site
VI. References
- Warrington (2023) Crit Dec Emerg Med 37(1): 14-5