Joint and Soft Tissue Injections in General Practice

Abstract

Musculoskeletal conditions are common, accounting for 15–20% of GP consultations, are chronic disorders and are usually managed in primary care. Injection therapy is an intervention that normally involves localized administration of a corticosteroid with a local anaesthetic. It has been in use for more than 50 years, and there is plenty of anecdotal evidence of its efficacy, but few definitive studies of its application in joint and soft tissue lesions. Despite this, it is the most common therapeutic intervention in rheumatological practice and is recommended for knee and shoulder problems in national and international guidelines. Given its relative safety, ease of application, cost-effectiveness plus the frequent lack of convincing systematic evidence for the benefit of alternative treatments, injection therapy is a useful outpatient treatment modality.