Corticosteroid injections are commonly used to treat a variety of conditions where inflammation is the primary issue. They can be injected directly into a joint, tendon, or bursa to provide targeted, fast relief. Some of the common conditions treated with corticosteroid injections include:
Corticosteroid injections can help provide fast, effective relief, especially for people with chronic conditions or those who need temporary pain relief to improve mobility. However, they are generally recommended for short-term use due to the potential for side effects with frequent administration.
There are times when you should not have a corticosteroid injection, these include:
Please do not book in for a cortisteroid injection if any of the above apply because you won’t be able to have the injection.
Possible side-effects include the following: (a more detailed list can be found on the manufacturers information)
– Flushing of the face for a few hours
– Bruising at the injection site (more likely if you take blood thinning medication)
– A temporary increase in pain (up to 2-3 days)
– Numbness, tingling or increased pain if a nerve has been touched by the needle
– Soft tissue damage, including tendon and cartilage injury
– Slight vaginal bleeding
– Diabetic patients may notice a temporary increase in blood sugar levels and should monitor this after the injection for up to 10 days, seeking medical advice
– Changes in mood; this is more likely if you or your family have a history of psychosis
– Increased blood pressure; which is unlikely to be noticeable unless your blood pressure is not currently well controlled
– Cosmetic changes including reduced skin pigmentation and/or dimpling of the skin at the injection site
– Post injection joint infection; this is very rare, 1 person in 10,000 may experience this. If the area that was injected becomes hot, red, swollen and very painful within 24-72 hours after the injection you should seek urgent medical attention
– Anaphylaxis; which is a life-threatening allergic reaction. This is extremely rare in response to being injected by steroid or local anaesthetic. You will be asked to wait for 15 minutes after the injection to ensure you do not have an immediate reaction.
Corticosteroid injection anatomically guided – £150
If you haven’t seen a Physiotherapist at Comfort Health before your appointment will begin with a full assessment of your injury. If your Physio feels a corticosteroid injection will benefit you they will proceed with the injection. If however they don’t, the appointment will become a 30 minute Physiotherapy session and they will advise the best treatment plan for you going forward.
If you have been referred by one of our Physiotherapist for a joint injection your practitioner will have a brief chat with you at the start of the appointment. Then if you are happy to proceed the joint injection will take place. The skin is first cleaned with antiseptic, and then a needle is inserted into the affected body part to deliver the steroid. The procedure may take between 5 and 20 seconds. There may be discomfort at the time of the injection, and occasionally the pain can persist for a few days, which you can take paracetamol for.
Once you’ve had the injection you will be asked to sit in reception for a short while to make sure you are feeling well before you leave. It is preferable not to drive afterwards, but on most occasions it is safe to do so.
The injection usually starts to work within within a few days to a week after the injection. For some patients, the benefits may last for several months, particularly if the underlying condition is managed effectively through other treatments. However, it’s important to remember the injection is not a permanent solution, and the pain may return over time. Whilst your pain is reduced, you should try to embed changes which will help you in the long term, such as: gradually increasing exercise levels, maintaining a healthy weight and changing repetitive tasks such as kneeling.
It’s important to note that the frequency of corticosteroid injections is typically limited, and depends on several factors as repeated use can lead to potential side effects, such as joint damage or weakened tissue. This should be discussed with your practitioner.