Injection technique

4 posts, 2 contributors

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Lizzie DAFNE Graduate
Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital
87 posts

Hi

Does anyone know of a website or youtube video that demonstrates good injection technique, especially on the arms and thighs? I have not brushed up on this for a while and I fear I am a bit rusty.

novorapidboi26 DAFNE Graduate
NHS Lanarkshire
1,819 posts

YouTube Video

This is the first video that came up from a Google search, cant view it in my work so it may be no use to you, looks like there are many similar videos however....

Is there something specifically you are finding difficult........?

When I was injecting the needle went in at 90 degrees to the skin surface, dose delivered, waited 5 seconds approximately.....

Is this what you mean when you say 'technique'?

Lizzie DAFNE Graduate
Guy's and St Thomas' Hospital
87 posts

I don't know what part of the arm/leg is the right part to inject into. The arms I have never tried as I cannot get the angle right. The legs I attempt periodically but fail. I have heard that it is best to inject into the inner front part of the thigh, but that seems very painful. I can inject into the outer part of the thigh but I think this could be 'wrong'. But I don't know if it matters as my legs are very fat all over, so wherever I inject I would be injecting into fat anyway.

As well as that, I can't seem to get my lantus injection right. The humalog is fine. But a while ago I was swapped to a different pen for the Lantus (I used to use the white disposable ones but they stopped making them, now I use some grey disposable ones). Since then, however long I wait the pen always comes out with a drop or two of insulin still coming out, I have waited for 5, 10, 20 seconds, counting slowly, still happens. I wondered if I was using incorrect needles but the doctor told me they were the right ones (microfines).

novorapidboi26 DAFNE Graduate
NHS Lanarkshire
1,819 posts

You can basically inject anywhere tat works.......the needle goes into subcutaneous tissue, so won't reach fat layers.......

The front of the thighs are used more commonly......so the thigh you see if standing in front of a mirror......

The arm is usually the area above your tricep.......

Anywhere on your bum.....

And of course your waist/stomach.......

Each area absorbs differently.......but most of the time the difference is negligible...