Complications of joint aspirations and injections

The overall serious complication rate from aspiration and injection of joints or musculoskeletal soft tissues is low. Box 1 summarizes general recommendations for minimizing problems while performing these procedures. Adverse events can be avoided with development of good technique, judicious choice and application of steroids, and proper patient selection based on customary indications and contraindications. There is temptation for experienced physicians to be cavalier about which type, how often, and in whom injections are performed. If established guidelines and recommendations are followed, the risks of untoward results can be minimized and patients will receive maximal benefit from local injections [23-28].