Steroid injections, also known as corticosteroid or cortisone injections, act as potent anti-inflammatory medications. They are injected directly, under ultrasound-guidance, into the specific painful areas, such as a knee joint (in cases of knee osteoarthritis), a bursa (in cases of olecranon bursitis), or surrounding a tendon (in cases of de Quervain's tenosynovitis). These injections contain synthetic versions of hormones naturally produced by the human body.
At The Joint Injection Clinic, we use steroid medications like Kenalog (triamcinolone acetonide) and Depo-Medrone (methylprednisolone acetate). These cortisone injections can be highly effective for managing hip, knee, and shoulder pain. They work by reducing inflammation, which decreases pain, stiffness, and swelling in musculoskeletal tissues.
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Arthritis: Targeted pain relief offered by steroid injections can be particularly effective in osteoarthritic joints.
Frozen Shoulder: This condition results in inflammation, swelling and significant stiffness in the shoulder joint capsule. Steroid injections can be an effective treatment, leading to improved pain relief, increased movement, and better overall function.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This condition involves compression of the median nerve in the wrist, leading to pain and numbness into the thumb and fingers. Corticosteroid injections into the carpal tunnel can provide significant relief from these symptoms.
Trigger Finger: Trigger finger occurs as a result of thickening of either a small pulley or tendon in the palm side of the digit. This results in difficulty in either bending or straightening the finger with pain. A steroid injection to the pulley/tendon can result in reduced localized inflammation and normal finger movements.
Tendonitis and Bursitis: Inflammation of tendons (tendinitis) and bursae (sac-like cushions near joints) can be effectively treated with injections, particularly in the shoulder, elbow, knee, and hip regions. This treatment can provide relief from pain and improve joint function.
Steroid injections can reduce the pain associated with arthritis within a few days.
These injections can reduce inflammation, leading to improved range of motion and decreased stiffness. They specifically target inflamed tissues such as the lining of the joint, also known as the synovium.
Steroid injections can enhance mobility in knee, hip and shoulder joints by reducing inflammation and pain. It can facilitate movement and return to normal daily activities.
Injections are less invasive than surgical interventions and associated with fewer side effects/risks. This makes them a suitable initial therapy for the majority of patients.
Steroid injections require minimal downtime. This will enable patients to return to routine activities rapidly without time away from work or significant interference.
Following an injection, patients are encouraged to take relative rest for 3 to 5 days to promote an optimal outcome. This means, for example, avoiding strenuous activities such as running or excessive walking after a knee joint injection. Day to day activity levels can be maintained and encouraged post-injection.
| Treatment Type | Cost |
|---|---|
| Single site (W9030) | £435 |
| Two site | £550 |
For any inquiries or to schedule an appointment, please feel free to contact us.
Cortisone injections can be a highly effective way of reducing inflammation and pain in joints affected with arthritis. They work rapidly but their effectiveness will differ based on an individuals' specific condition, severity and type of joint involvement. A steroid injection may provide effective pain relief for weeks to months, and often longer.
Steroid injections usually start working within 24 to 48 hours. The full effects tend to be seen within one to two weeks but can take up to four weeks to have an effect. The speed of relief may differ based on the treatment condition and the individual response.
Steroid injections can be a little uncomfortable at the time of injection. We tend to use local anaesthetic with all injections, which will provide pain relief for up to 4-5 hours. Once the local anaesthetic wears off then patients may notice a flare in their symptoms initially which can last for 3-4 days post-injection.
There is no pre-determined maximum number of injections that an individual can have. The frequency with which repeated steroid injections can be offered depends on the individual, the site and target of the injection, as well as the individual’s co-morbidities, lifestyle factors, pain levels and alternative management options. In general, we would try to avoid repeating injections more often than twice yearly for any one particular site.
The rest period after a steroid injection differs depending on the injection site and the response of the individual. It is advisable to undertake relative rest (avoiding strenuous activity) for at least 24 to 48 hours, in order to let the medication take effect, and to monitor for any adverse reactions. Your clinician will offer bespoke advice at the time of the injection consultation.
