If a nurse gives you an intramuscular shot in the wrong spot, it can cause big problems

Getting a shot can be…well…a pain in the butt.

But a new report shows us that it doesn’t have to be…if the nurse gives the shot right.

It turns out a lot of nurses are giving intramuscular injections wrong.

You see, they give the injection in the dorsogluteal (DG) buttock site. In other words, in your butt.

When injections are given in the DG site, there’s a risk of damaging the sciatic nerve. This is the longest nerve in your body, so injury to the nerve can be painful. Other possible injuries include muscle fibrosis, nerve paralysis, abscesses, and even gangrene.

The better place to give an intramuscular injection is on the side of the buttock known as the ventrogluteal (VG) hip site. The VG actually provides better access to muscle tissue and medication is absorbed faster.

So why do so many nurses go for the DG instead of the VG? Nurses who used the DG site said they’re more comfortable with the site and it’s easier to locate.

And there may also be an Old School vs. New School issue here. Most younger nurses are trained to use the VG site, while more experienced nurses often use the DG.

More than 12 billion intramuscular injections are given every year. If you’re among those on the receiving end, try to steer the nurse away from your, well…receiving end.

Sources:
“Most nurses don’t use recommended intramuscular injection site despite potential risks” Wiley-Blackwell press release, eurekalert.org