Steroid joint injections

At Mayo Clinic Healthcare in London, our rheumatology specialists provide steroid joint injections to help reduce joint pain and inflammation. If you have ongoing joint pain, our consultant-led team can assess the cause and determine whether a steroid injection may be right for you.

Steroid injections contain a type of anti-inflammatory medicine called a corticosteroid. Your specialist injects the medicine directly into or around the affected joint. Corticosteroids can reduce inflammation and provide temporary pain relief. This may make it easier to move the joint and take part in physiotherapy or exercise.

Steroid injections do not treat the cause of every joint condition. Your specialist will consider your diagnosis, symptoms, and other treatment options before recommending an injection.

Steroid joint injections, sometimes called corticosteroid or cortisone injections, deliver anti-inflammatory medicine into a specific area of the body. Specialists may use them to treat pain and inflammation caused by some forms of arthritis, bursitis, and tendon problems.

The injection is intended to reduce inflammation and ease pain in the affected area. The medicine acts mainly in the area where it is injected, although a small amount can enter your bloodstream and cause temporary effects elsewhere in your body.

Your consultant will explain what the injection is intended to achieve and how it may fit alongside your other treatments.
Your consultant may recommend a steroid injection for joint pain if inflammation is contributing to your symptoms and other treatments have not provided enough relief.

Steroid injections may be used for conditions including:

Osteoarthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis and other inflammatory arthritis

Bursitis

Tendon problems, including inflammation or tendinopathy

Some injuries that cause inflammation in a specific area

Other conditions where inflammation contributes to joint pain

An injection may be used alongside physiotherapy or an exercise programme. Reducing pain and inflammation may make it easier for you to take part in rehabilitation. However, the injection itself does not repair damaged cartilage or other problems within the joint.

Steroid injections for shoulder pain

Steroid injections for shoulder pain may help when inflammation affects the shoulder joint or nearby structures.

They may be used for conditions such as bursitis, some forms of arthritis and certain tendon problems.

Your consultant will examine your shoulder and decide where to give the injection based on your symptoms and diagnosis. An injection may also be used alongside physiotherapy or other treatment to help improve movement and function.

Steroid injections for knee pain

If inflammation in or around your knee is contributing to pain or making movement difficult, your consultant may recommend a steroid injection.

Steroid injections for knee pain may be an option for some people with conditions such as osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthritis. Your consultant will assess the cause of your knee pain before deciding whether an injection is appropriate.

Your consultant will explain the potential benefits and limitations before treatment. Repeated injections into the same joint can carry additional risks, so they will also consider how often an injection is appropriate for you.

Steroid injections for hip pain

Steroid injections for hip pain may be an option when inflammation in or around your hip is contributing to your symptoms.

Hip pain can have several causes. Your consultant will assess your symptoms and determine whether an injection is appropriate. Depending on the cause, an injection may help reduce pain and inflammation and make it easier to take part in rehabilitation.

Because the hip lies deep within the body, your specialist may use imaging to help guide the needle into the correct position.
Before recommending an injection, your specialist will talk with you about your symptoms and examine the affected joint.

Your assessment may include:

A review of your symptoms and medical history

A physical examination of the affected joint

An assessment of your movement, strength, and joint function

A review of previous treatments and how well they worked

X-rays or other scans, if needed

A discussion of the medicines you take and any health conditions that may affect the safety of an injection

Imaging can help your consultant understand the cause of your symptoms and decide whether an injection is appropriate. In some cases, your specialist may use ultrasound or another type of imaging during the procedure to help position the needle accurately.

The tests and assessments you need will depend on your symptoms, medical history, and what your consultant finds during your examination.
Your specialist will clean the skin around the injection site. They will then use a needle to inject the corticosteroid into the appropriate area.

In some cases, your specialist may also use a local anaesthetic to provide short-term pain relief.

You may feel some discomfort during or shortly after the injection. Your pain or swelling may temporarily get worse after the injection before the steroid starts to take effect.

Your consultant will explain what activities you can do following the procedure and give you advice about your recovery. Depending on your condition, you may also be advised to continue physiotherapy or specific exercises.
Steroid injections are generally considered safe when they are appropriately recommended and given. However, they are not right for everyone.

Possible side effects include:

Temporary pain or swelling at the injection site

Bruising

Changes in skin colour around the injection site

A temporary rise in blood sugar levels

Facial flushing

Infection, although this is uncommon

Damage to surrounding tissues, although this is rare

If you have diabetes, your blood sugar level may temporarily rise after an injection. Tell your consultant about any health conditions you have and all medicines you take before treatment.

Repeated injections into the same joint may increase the risk of complications, including possible effects on cartilage. Your consultant will therefore consider carefully how many injections are appropriate and how often you should have them.
At Mayo Clinic Healthcare, your care is led by consultants experienced in assessing and treating musculoskeletal and joint conditions.

Our approach includes:

Specialists experienced in managing joint pain and inflammatory conditions

A detailed assessment before an injection is recommended

Access to appropriate imaging and diagnostic tests when needed

Consideration of steroid injections alongside physiotherapy and other treatments

Treatment plans tailored to your symptoms, diagnosis, and daily activities

Expert recommendations to support longer-term joint health

As part of the globally recognised Mayo Clinic network, we are committed to providing accurate diagnosis and high-quality, patient-centred care.

Private health insurance

Mayo Clinic Healthcare works with all major private health insurance providers, including AXA PPP, Aviva, BUPA, Health Partners Group, Vitality Health and WPA. Self-pay arrangements are also available.

Private assessment

If you have ongoing joint pain and inflammation may be contributing to your symptoms, our specialists can assess the cause and determine whether a steroid injection for joint pain may be appropriate for you.

Our team will explain your treatment options and recommend the most appropriate next steps based on your condition.

Request an appointment today or call +44 (0) 207 871 2575 to speak with our team.

Medically Reviewed by

Dr Anna Nuttall, Consultant Rheumatologist