Musculoskeletal Injections in Primary Care

• Joint injections can readily be learned by primary care providers.
• This guide provides illustrated how-to instructions for the practitioner.
• Frequency and type of injection is guided by the goal of the procedure.
• Written educational handouts can decrease postprocedural complications.

Joint injections and aspirations are skills that can be readily learned by primary care providers. These procedures are performed to relieve pain, improve function, and help diagnose and treat certain musculoskeletal conditions. In this article we describe commonly encountered acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions in primary care that can be addressed by musculoskeletal injections. This how-to guide provides illustrated step-by-step instructions for the practitioner, including evidence-based rationale for each procedure, recommended materials, site preparation, and techniques.