WHERE TO INJECT
All oil based and water based anabolic steroids should be taken intramuscularly.
This means the shot must penetrate the skin and subcutaneous tissue to
enter the muscle itself. Intramuscular injections are used when prompt
absorption is desired, when larger doses are needed than can be given cutaneously
or when a drug is too irritating to be given subcutaneously. The common
sites for in tramuscular injectons include the buttock, lateral side of
the thigh, and the deltoid region of the arm. Muscles in these areas, especially
the gluteal muscles in the buttock, are fairly thick. Because of the large
number of muscle fibers and extensive fascia, (fascia is a type of connective
tissue that surrounds and separates muscles) the drug has a large surface
area for absorption. Absorption is further promoted by the extensive blood
supply to muscles. Ideally, intramuscular injections should be given deep
within the muscle and away from major nerves and blood vessels. The best
site for steroid injections is in the gluteus medius muscle which is located
in the upper outer quadrant of the buttock. The iliac crest serves as a
landmark for this quadrant. The spot for an injection in an adult is usually
to 7 1/2 centimeters (2 to 3 inches) below the iliac crest. The iliac crest
is the top of the pelvic girdle on the posterior (back) side. You can find
the iliac crest by feeling the uppermost bony area above each gluteal muscle.
The upper outer quadrant is chosen because the muscle in this area is quite
thick and has few nerves. The probability of injecting the drug into a
blood vessel is remote in this area. Injecting here reduces the chance
of injury to the sciatic nerve which runs through the lower and middle
area of the buttock. It controls the posterior of each thigh and the entire
leg from the knee down. If an injection is too close to this nerve or actually
hits it, extreme pain and temporary paralysis can be felt in these areas.
This is especially undesirable and warrants staying as far away from this
area as possible.
SEVERAL ACCEPTABLE SITES FOR INTRAMUSCULAR INJECTIONS ARE SHOWN BELOW |
|
| A) TRICEP 1 |
 |
| B) TRICEP 2 |
 |
| C) CHEST |
 |
| D) LATERAL SURFACE OF THIGH |
 |
| E) DELTOID REGION |
 |
| F) BICEP 1 |
 |
| A) BICEP 2 |
 |
If the gluteal region cannot be injected for some reason,
the second choice would be the lateral portion of the thigh. Usually, intramuscular
injections in the thigh are only indicated for infants and children. The
vastus lateralis muscle is the only area of the thigh that should be injected
intramuscularly. This site is determined by using the knee and the greater
trochanter of the femur as landmarks. The greater trochanter is the bony
area that you can feel where the femur joins the pelvic girdle. The mid
portion of the muscle is located by measuring the handbreadth above the
knee and the handbreadth below the greater trochanter. Injecting into the
front of the thigh or inside of the thigh is extremely unwise. These areas
contain nerves as well as a number of blood vessels.
WHAT TO USE FOR INJECTIONS
It is important to choose the proper syringe for the administration of
injectable anabolic steroids. The principle components of a syringe include
a cylindrical barrel to one end of which a hollow needle is attached, and
a close fitting plunger. The most acceptable syringe for injecting anabolic
steroids is a 22 (or 23) gauge 1 1/2” or 23 gauge 1” apparatus with a 3 cc case.
This length allows for penetration to reach deep inside the muscle tissue.
Shorter needles, 5/8” or 1/2” are usually not sufficient for intramuscular
injections and occasionally leave a portion of the Injection in a subcutaneous
area which will cause a swell between the skin and muscle as well as impaired
absorption. The gauge size of a syringe represents the needle's
diameter. The lower the gauge number, the wider it is. A 27 gauge needle
is very thin. An 18 gauge is quite wide; it is often referred to as a cannon.
The 22 and 23 gauge needles are not so large that they are difficult to
insert, yet are large enough for solutions to easily be propelled through
them. The use of insulin needles is not acceptable; they are simply too
small. Usually, insulin pins are 25 to 27 gauge and only a 1/2” long with
a 1 cc case. Insulin needles are popular for GH (Growth Hormone) and Insulin injections. Also water based AS such as Winstrol (Stanazolol) and Testosterone Suspension will be easily injected with a small guage such as 25g-27g. |
|
Home