QUESTION. I give myself an intramuscular injection every day. I draw up the medicine and make sure to remove the excess air - so I know that the needle is clear and working. Sometimes when I am pushing down the syringe plunger after I inserted the needle into the muscle, it is totally stuck. I pull the needle out a 1/4 of an inch and then push with all my strenght to get it moving. After I push for a while it usually losens up and then I can push the syringe plunger smoothly until all the content in the syringe has been injected. What do you think causes this to happen?

ANSWER. The needle is picking up some tissue as it is being inserted. It is sometimes referred to as "coring" - yes, like coring an apply. The core is made up of skin, muscle, or fat (or a combination). The cored out tissue plugs the end of the needle and makes it difficult to push the material in. It is common and usually happens when a person twists or spins the syringe while injecting. Very thin needles seem to plug less and it seems to happen less when the needle is just "jabbed in" or slid quickly into the skin. The sharp edge of the needle slices through the tissue and is less likely to make a core of tissue.

Pulling BACK on the syringe plunger pulls the tissue deeper into the needle and it can loosen it up a little. Some people will replace the needle and "try again". I'm not certain if there is any one perfect way. It's mostly a matter of technique and what you are able to do efficiently and comfortably.