Intra-articular and soft tissue injections: a survey of current practice

Intra-articular and soft tissue injections are the two most frequently used procedures in rheumatological practice. A questionnaire completed by 172 consultant rheumatologists aimed to ascertain the techniques used in these procedures. The results showed a wide divergence of practice in almost every aspect of technique. Respondents were willing to undertake injections in almost any location, but differed widely regarding personal and patient preparation before injection. About one-quarter used no local anaesthetic, the majority using local anaesthetic before or with the corticosteroid. Admission overnight or as a day case for injection of weight-bearing joints was practised by 18%. Post-injection advice was extremely variable. The results suggest that there is at present no single consensus technique for intra-articular and soft tissue injections amongst British consultant rheumatologists.