Joint Pain Treatment
What are steroid injections?
Steroid injections are anti-inflammatory injections used to reduce swelling and irritation within joints, tendons, bursae, and surrounding soft tissues.
They are commonly used to help relieve pain, improve movement, and support recovery where inflammation is contributing to symptoms.
Steroid injections are often recommended when symptoms have not improved sufficiently with rest, physiotherapy, exercise modification, pain relief medication, or anti-inflammatory medication.
Also known as
When may a joint injection be needed?
Joint injections may help if pain or stiffness is limiting your ability to carry out normal daily activities, including:
Many patients seek treatment when symptoms begin affecting independence, fitness, wellbeing, or enjoyment of everyday life.
Conditions we commonly treat
Steroid injections may be beneficial for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions. Your clinician will assess whether a steroid injection is clinically appropriate based on your symptoms, examination findings, medical history, and overall health.
Joint pain & arthritis
- Knee pain and arthritis
- Shoulder pain and inflammation
- Hip pain (greater trochanteric)
- Thumb arthritis
- Acromioclavicular (AC) joint pain
Tendon & soft tissue
- Tennis elbow
- Golfer's elbow
- Trigger finger
- Trigger thumb
- Plantar fasciitis
Nerve-related
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
What happens during your appointment?
Initial consultation
Your appointment will begin with a detailed consultation with one of our experienced GPs. You will have the opportunity to ask any questions before treatment proceeds.
This includes:
- Discussion of your symptoms
- Medical history review
- Assessment of previous treatments
- Examination of the affected area
- Discussion of suitable treatment options
- Explanation of benefits, risks, and expected outcomes
The injection procedure
If a steroid injection is appropriate, the area will be carefully cleaned and prepared. In some cases, a local anaesthetic may be used to improve comfort during the procedure. The steroid medication is then injected into the affected joint, tendon sheath, bursa, or soft tissue area.
Most injections take only a few minutes to perform.
Recovery after steroid injections
Most people have steroid injections without significant side effects and recover quickly following treatment.
Common temporary effects:
- Mild soreness around the injection site
- Temporary aching or stiffness
- A short-term flare-up of pain within the first 24 hours
This flare-up usually settles within a couple of days. Simple pain relief such as paracetamol may help if required.
Seek urgent medical advice if you develop:
- Increasing pain
- Significant swelling
- Redness or heat around the joint
- Fever or feeling unwell
Very rarely, an injection can introduce infection into the joint or surrounding tissue.
After your appointment
Following treatment, your clinician may advise you to:
- Rest the treated area for a short period
- Avoid strenuous activity for several days
- Gradually return to normal activities
- Continue physiotherapy or rehabilitation exercises if appropriate
Many patients begin to notice improvement within a few days, although some injections may take longer to reach full effect. The duration of symptom relief varies depending on the condition being treated and individual response.