An infiltration is a procedure consisting in injecting a therapeutical substance (most often a cortisone derivative) into a joint or into the vicinity of an anatomical structure (such as a tendon) with the purpose to relieve pain.
The procedure is carried out under guidance (fluoroscopy, ultrasound or CT scan) in order to be as precise and effective as possible.
Many anatomical structures are accessible to infiltrations :
- spine (usually under CT guidance)
- peripheral joints (shoulder, elbow, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle and foot).
- tendons and serous bursae.
Other procedures such as guided percutaneous needling and lavage of calcific tendonitis of the shoulder can also be performed.