J. Shah, MD

Rheumatology

Joint injections or aspirations (taking fluid out of a joint) are performed in an office or hospital setting, often with a cold spray or other local anesthesia. After the skin surface is thoroughly cleaned, a needle in injected directly into a joint. At this point, either joint fluid can be removed (aspirated) and used for appropriate laboratory testing, or steroids can be injected into the joint. The steroid treats the inflammation inside the joint, leading to decreased swelling and pain.