Steroid injections

Steroid injections are non-surgical treatments for painful, stiff and swollen joints. Steroid injections also reduce pain and swelling in bursitis and injured or inflamed tendons.

Steroid injections are injections of the medication hydrocortisone, which treats inflammation in joints and soft tissue. They can relieve pain, stiffness and swelling for several months, allowing you to move more easily.

The London Orthopaedic Clinic offers steroid injections by world-renowned Consultant orthopaedic surgeons and pain management specialists. The injections are always placed using ultrasound guidance to ensure that treatment is precisely targeted, reducing complications and optimising your results.

What are steroid injections?

Steroid injections are injections of local anaesthetic and the corticosteroid drug hydrocortisone or similar. Hydrocortisone is an injectable treatment for pain and inflammation caused by arthritis or injury.

The Consultant orthopaedic surgeons and pain-management specialists at The London Orthopaedic Clinic give intra-articular steroid injections into joints to relieve pain. They also inject hydrocortisone around painful and inflamed tendons and directly into areas of bursitis around joints.

The hydrocortisone is gradually released into the joint, treating pain and swelling for several months. Some people notice a benefit for as long as a year after an injection. You may be able to have repeat steroid injections; however, the medication can damage the cartilage in your joint, so the specialists usually recommend limiting steroid injections to no more than three or four a year.

Who can benefit from steroid injections?

Steroid injections can effectively reduce joint and soft-tissue pain, improve your function, and get you moving again. The Consultant orthopaedic surgeons and pain management specialists at The London Orthopaedic Clinic use steroid injections to treat pain and inflammation in a range of conditions, including:

  • Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, shoulder, elbow and base of the thumb.
  • Tennis elbow
  • Golfer’s elbow
  • Frozen shoulder
  • Tendinopathies
  • Bursitis

Your specialist may use steroid injections as part of a comprehensive treatment plan to reduce musculoskeletal pain and improve your function.

About the procedure

What are the alternatives to steroid injections?

The London Orthopaedic Clinic offers a comprehensive range of non-surgical treatments. The specialists provide the very latest novel injections, which can be an effective alternative to steroid injections.

Our experienced Consultant orthopaedic surgeons and pain management specialists offer full assessment, investigation, diagnosis and treatment of knee pain all under one roof. If you are unsure what treatment you need, they can provide an expert opinion and tailor a treatment programme that best meets your needs and lifestyle. Alternatives treatments include:

If injectable treatments and other conservative treatments are not effectively controlling your symptoms, the highly-skilled orthopaedic surgeons at The London Orthopaedic Clinic can also operate to treat your pain and restore your mobility and function.

Steroid injection costs

Your health insurance may cover your investigation and treatment. The London Orthopaedic Clinic works closely with insurance providers, and all of our Consultants are recognised by the major insurance companies. We also offer competitive packages for self-paying patients. Contact a member of our friendly team on 020 7186 1000 or at info@londonorthopaedic.com to find out more.