Learning About an Ischial Bursa Injection

An ischial (say "ISS-kee-uhl") bursa injection is a shot of medicine to help relieve pain in the bursa. A bursa is a small sac of fluid that cushions an area between tendons and bones.

The bursa near the bones you sit on is called the ischial bursa. Sometimes it can become swollen and painful. This condition is called ischial bursitis. It can cause a lot of pain in your upper thigh or buttocks. Doing certain activities may lead to ischial bursitis. These include running, cycling, and sitting for a long time.

The medicines in an ischial bursa injection may include a steroid and a pain reliever. The injection may help with pain relief when other treatments haven't worked.

You may lie on your stomach on an exam table, or you may lie on your side. The area on your buttocks over the bursa will be cleaned. Your doctor may numb the skin where you will get the injection.

Your doctor will use a needle to inject the medicine into the bursa. The doctor may use imaging to help guide the placement of the needle, such as ultrasound or a type of X-ray called fluoroscopy.

You may feel some pressure or discomfort during the procedure. Your doctor may put ice on the area before you go home.

You will probably go home soon after your shot. You may need to have someone drive you home. You may have numbness over your buttocks for a few hours.

If your shot included both a pain reliever and a steroid, the pain will probably go away quickly. But it might come back after a few hours. This might happen if the pain reliever wears off and the steroid has not started to work yet. The steroid medicine generally takes a few days to work.

If the pain comes back, you can put ice or a cold pack on your buttocks for 10 to 20 minutes at a time. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.

Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. Avoid strenuous activities on the day you get the shot. You may need to keep the area dry for 24 hours.

The pain relief from the steroids can last for several weeks to a few months or longer.

Side effects of the injection are usually mild and short-term. They may include pain, bruising, or swelling at the site of the shot. Rare side effects include an allergic reaction to the medicine, nerve damage, bleeding, and infection.