Injections of the shoulder or elbow can be carried out effectively with little or no discomfort, with the patient in the sitting position. 2. Aseptic technique should be observed. 3. The corticosteroid solution should not be injected into the tendons of the shoulder joint or elbow. 4. It is safer, less painful, and more effective to inject the solution into the overlying bursal space or the tendon sheath. 5. Repeated injections are not advised.