What is a joint injection? 

Joint injections are non-surgical procedures that apply a mix of corticosteroids and anesthetics into knee, shoulder, ankle and hip joints, as well as the spine, for pain relief purposes. The injections are guided with imaging equipment such as X-rays and ultrasound.

Why do you need a joint injection?

For persistent, chronic joint pain that is not able to be managed through physical therapy, joint injections can be used to provide immediate pain relief. In addition, joint injections function as slow-release treatment that continue to provide pain relief long-term after the initial injection.

What can you expect when undergoing a joint injection?

During a Joint Injection

A joint injection usually takes between 15 to 30 minutes. Using x-rays or ultrasound to guide the needle to the designated location, your doctor will inject a small mixture of anesthetic (numbing medicine) and anti-inflammatory steroid. There should be minimal pain and discomfort experienced.

If radiofrequency ablation is performed, the duration of the procedure will be slightly longer. Once the needle is next to the correct nerve, a small electrical current will pass through the needle and the radiofrequency machine will heat the nerve. The procedure may be repeated for more nerves.

After a Joint Injection

You might sometimes feel an increase in pain in the following days after a joint injection before feeling relief from pain. This is normal and pain medications will be prescribed to help you manage the pain. Physical therapy is often performed after joint injections to help resume normal activity in the affected joint.

Why choose Novena Surgery for a joint injection?

Doctors who choose to perform joint injections at Novena Surgery will perform the procedure in one of four modular operating theaters with cable-less pendant systems, allowing doctors to operate free of stray wiring obstruction.

Post-procedure, patients can choose to recover in one of Novena Surgery’s comfortable private suites, or in our 12-bed recovery unit under the care of well-trained nursing staff.

Waiting times are also shortened as patients need only turn up half-an-hour before their surgery, and be checked into the ward within 10 minutes of arrival. 

Patients’ companions have the option of patronising Velocity, Square and Square 2 shopping malls that are seamlessly integrated with Novena Medical Centre, the building housing Novena Surgery.

I want to undergo a joint injection in Novena Surgery but I do not have a specialist doctor in mind yet.

This list consists of specialists who commonly perform joint injections at Novena Surgery – contact us at +65-6254 9331 or admin@novenasurgery.com.sg and we will help you book a consultation appointment with a specialist doctor from the list.

Name of Specialist ClinicName of Specialist DoctorSpecialist Clinic AddressSpecialist Clinic Opening Hours
Lifescan ImagingDr Kenneth SheahNovena Medical Centre, #08-02/03/04, 10 Sinaran Drive, Singapore 307506Monday – Friday : 8.30am – 5.30pm
Saturday : 8.30am – 12.30pm
Closed on Sunday & Public Holiday