Bursa Injections

Bursa injections relieve bursitis (inflammation of the bursae) and help restore your mobility. At All Valley Rehabilitation, Spine and Pain Institute, in Edinburg, Texas, board-certified physiatrist Nashin Manohar, DO, has over a decade of experience preparing and administering bursa injections. Dr. Manohar makes personalized treatment recommendations after an exam and a review of your symptoms. Call All Valley Rehabilitation, Spine and Pain Institute today to schedule an appointment, or book your visit online.

What are bursa injections?

Bursa injections relieve bursitis pain. Bursitis is inflammation of the bursae –– the small, fluid-filled sacs cushioning the bones, muscles, and tendons near your joints.

Bursa injections contain corticosteroids like triamcinolone. When the medication enters your body, it reduces inflammation and improves your range of motion.

Which types of inflammation can bursa injections treat?

At All Valley Rehabilitation, Spine and Pain Institute, Dr. Manohar uses bursa injections to treat several types of inflammation, including:

• Knee (prepatellar) bursitis
• Hamstring or buttock bursitis
• Elbow (olecranon) bursitis
• Shoulder (subacromial) bursitis
• Hip (trochanteric) bursitis

Bursitis inflammation can appear anywhere bursae are present. But it’s most common in joints that experience lots of wear-and-tear, like the knees, shoulders, and hips.

What happens during a bursa injection?

Getting a bursa injection takes 10-20 minutes.

Dr. Manohar reviews your medical records, asks about your symptoms, and examines your joint. These steps are often enough to diagnose bursitis, but he might also order an MRI or ultrasound to confirm.

Next, Dr. Manohar cleans your skin and applies a topical anesthetic, numbing the area. He uses ultrasound imaging to guide a thin needle through your skin and into the inflamed bursa sac. Once the needle is in position, Dr. Manohar injects the corticosteroid into your bursa.

If more than one bursa is swollen, Dr. Manohar repeats the same steps using a clean needle for each injection.

Are bursa injections safe?

Bursa injections are safe and usually well-tolerated, but it’s normal to experience mild side effects. For example, many patients have mild bruising, redness, or swelling at the injection sites after treatment.

What is recovery like after bursa injections?

After receiving a bursa injection, take it easy for the rest of the day. Avoid strenuous activity for at least 24 hours, and apply an ice pack to the treatment site to reduce swelling.

Showering is OK, but avoid submerging the treated joint in a pool, hot tub, or bath for at least two days.

How long do bursa injections relieve pain?

The relief that bursa injections provide depends on how severe the inflammation is and what’s causing it. Most people experience significantly reduced pain and swelling for several months. But the medication can last for up to a year.*

Call All Valley Rehabilitation, Spine and Pain Institute today to schedule a bursa injection appointment, or book your visit online.

*Results may vary.