ABSTRACT
Steroid injections are commonly used in the shoulder to treat conditions that are not settling with rest, exercise, time, oral pain relief or physiotherapy. There are three typical sites for injection in the shoulder: first, the subacromial space, second, the glenohumeral joint, and third, the acromioclavicular joint (ACJ). In superficial injections, there is a risk of fatty atrophy and skin depigmentation, but these are only possible with ACJ injections and do not normally occur in subacromial or glenohumeral joint injections. Injection can be done for the glenohumeral joint from the anterior approach with needle entry 1 cm inferior to the acromioclavicular joint and medial towards the head of humerus, lateral to the coracoid process by 1 cm and directed posteriorly at a slight superior and lateral angle. Elbow osteoarthritis is uncommon and injection of the joint should only be undertaken following appropriate imaging.
