A hip injection is a common medical procedure used to treat pain that originates from within the hip joint itself, often caused by conditions like osteoarthritis or bursitis. The injection delivers a combination of an anti-inflammatory medication, such as a corticosteroid, and a numbing agent directly into the joint space. Patients often ask if they will be fully unconscious, or “put to sleep,” for the procedure. General anesthesia is almost never necessary for a routine hip injection.
Anesthesia and Managing Discomfort
The standard approach relies on a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine or bupivacaine, to manage pain at the injection site. This medication is injected into the skin and surrounding tissue to numb the area before the main needle is placed. Patients typically feel a brief stinging or burning sensation as the local anesthetic is administered, which is usually the most uncomfortable part of the process. This numbing agent works quickly, allowing the patient to remain awake and aware throughout the procedure.
General anesthesia, which causes full unconsciousness, is avoided for routine injections due to its risks. However, some patients may be offered conscious or moderate sedation. Conscious sedation involves administering medicine, often intravenously, to help the patient relax, reduce anxiety, and minimize discomfort without causing them to lose consciousness. The patient remains responsive but may feel drowsy and have little memory of the procedure afterward. This option is generally reserved for patients with significant anxiety.
What Happens During the Injection
Once the local anesthetic has taken effect, the hip injection procedure is generally quick, often taking about 15 minutes. The patient is positioned on an X-ray table, usually lying on their back, and the injection area is cleaned with a sterile solution. A small needle is then carefully inserted toward the hip joint.
To ensure the medication is delivered precisely into the joint, the physician uses real-time imaging guidance, such as fluoroscopy (live X-ray) or ultrasound. This guidance allows the provider to accurately track the needle’s path to the target area. A small amount of contrast dye may be injected first to confirm placement before the therapeutic mixture is delivered. The final solution typically contains a corticosteroid mixed with a longer-acting local anesthetic for sustained pain relief.
Immediate Recovery and Precautions
Following the injection, the patient is usually asked to rest for a short observation period, typically 5 to 30 minutes, before being released. If a local anesthetic was used, the hip area will likely feel numb, which can cause temporary leg weakness or heaviness. This numbing effect provides immediate pain relief but wears off within a few hours.
It is common for the hip to feel sore or tender once the numbness fades. Some patients experience a temporary increase in pain, known as a “steroid flare,” within the first 24 to 48 hours. Patients should avoid strenuous activity, heavy lifting, or high-impact exercise for at least 24 to 48 hours to allow the medication to settle. If conscious sedation was administered, a responsible adult must drive the patient home due to the lingering effects of the sedative medications. The anti-inflammatory benefits of the corticosteroid typically begin to provide noticeable relief several days after the injection, often between two and seven days later.