Joint injections can be performed on most major joints in the body including the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and ankles. Many patients with history of osteoarthritis or injury to the joint can receive these injections to help alleviate the pain. A needle is advanced into the joint and a local anesthetic along with a steroid medication is injected. Following a joint steroid injection, the doctor may choose to start a different series of injections to the joint. Hyaluronic acid is a viscous, injectable gel that is often used to help lubricate the joint. It improves the viscosity of the joint fluid that is already there and prevents further damage to the joint surfaces. Typically injections of hyaluronic acid are performed in a series of five injections at least a week apart from each other.