Hip Injection

A straightforward guide for patients

What Is a Hip Injection?

A hip injection delivers targeted medication into either the hip joint or the hip bursa to help decrease pain, calm inflammation, and improve daily mobility. Ultrasound guidance is always used to ensure accurate placement and better results.

Hip injections are commonly used for:

  • Hip osteoarthritis
  • Hip labral irritation
  • Inflamed or irritated hip joint
  • Greater trochanteric bursitis
  • Tendon irritation around the hip
  • Chronic hip pain that has not improved with conservative care

These injections may also help identify where your pain is coming from.

Types of Hip Injections

  1. Hip Joint (Intra-articular) Injection

Medication is placed directly inside the hip joint.

Used for:

  • Arthritis
  • Labral irritation
  • Persistent joint inflammation
  • Deep aching pain in the groin or front of the hip
  1. Hip Bursa (Trochanteric Bursa) Injection

Medication is delivered to the inflamed bursa on the outer side of your hip.

Used for:

  • Greater trochanteric bursitis
  • Gluteal tendon irritation
  • Pain with pressure over the outer hip

Both procedures are performed using ultrasound guidance for precise placement.

What Substance Is Injected?

  1. Steroid (Corticosteroid)
  • Reduces inflammation
  • Provides faster pain relief, usually within days
  • Helpful for arthritis, bursitis, and general inflammation
  1. PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma)
  • Uses a concentrated portion of your own blood
  • Promotes natural healing of tendons and soft tissues
  • Especially beneficial for chronic bursitis or tendon irritation
  • May take several weeks to feel improvement but can offer longer-lasting benefits
  • Please see section on PRP/ Orthobiologics for details
  • Your provider will determine the best choice based on your symptoms and goals.

Goals of the Injection

  • Reduce pain and inflammation
  • Improve mobility and ease of movement
  • Help identify whether the hip is the source of pain
  • Support healing (especially with PRP)

How the Procedure Works

Hip injections are quick and typically performed in the office using ultrasound guidance only.

Comfortable positioning – You will lie on your back or side depending on the area targeted.

  1. Skin cleaning – The area is sterilized to reduce infection risk.
  2. Local numbing – A small amount of anesthetic may be used for comfort.
  3. Ultrasound-guided injection –
    • The hip joint or bursa is located using ultrasound.
    • The medication (steroid or PRP) is delivered precisely to the affected area.
  4. Bandage applied – You may go home shortly after the procedure.

Total time is usually 10–15 minutes.

What to Expect After the Injection

  • Temporary numbness or light soreness may occur.
  • Some discomfort for 24–48 hours is normal.
  • Steroid relief may begin within 2–7 days.
  • PRP typically improves symptoms over 2–6 weeks as healing progresses.
  • You may return to normal daily activities the same day unless advised otherwise.

Precautions

  • Mild bruising or swelling at the injection site can occur.
  • Avoid strenuous exercise or heavy lifting for 24 hours.
  • If using a steroid, diabetics may experience temporary increases in blood sugar.
  • Rare risks: infection, bleeding, allergic reaction, or temporary flare of pain.

When to Call the Office

Contact your provider if you experience:

  • Fever or chills
  • Redness, warmth, or drainage at the injection site
  • Severe or worsening hip pain
  • New weakness or unusual symptoms