Cortisone injections are generally considered safe for appropriately selected patients when administered by a suitably qualified healthcare professional. However, they are not risk-free. Possible side effects include temporary pain, bruising, skin changes and increased blood glucose. Rare but serious complications include infection and allergic reactions.

The safety of a steroid injection depends on your diagnosis, medical history, the injection site, previous treatments and the potential benefits compared with the risks.

At Light Joints Physiotherapy, we provide private corticosteroid injection assessments in Leeds and Bradford, with clinics in Colton, Rothwell and Greengates.

Our approach is straightforward: we assess whether an injection is appropriate before recommending treatment.

Explore our private joint and tendon injection service in Leeds and Bradford.


Are Cortisone Injections Safe?

For many people, corticosteroid injections can be an appropriate treatment for selected inflammatory joint and musculoskeletal conditions.

A corticosteroid injection delivers anti-inflammatory medication into or around a specific anatomical structure. This can reduce inflammation and pain, sometimes making everyday activities and rehabilitation easier.

Because the medication is delivered locally, exposure throughout the body is generally lower than with prolonged oral steroid treatment. However, systemic effects can still occur.

The important question is not simply whether steroid injections are safe, but whether the likely benefits outweigh the risks for your particular condition.

A clinical assessment should consider:

• The underlying diagnosis

• The structure being injected

• Your medical history and current medication

• Previous injections and your response to them

• The type and dose of corticosteroid

• Whether an alternative treatment would be more appropriate

Not every painful joint or tendon requires an injection.

If you are unsure whether treatment is appropriate, read our guide to when you might need a joint injection.

What Are the Most Common Side Effects of Cortisone Injections?

Most patients do not experience serious complications, but temporary side effects can occur.

1. Temporary Pain or a Steroid Flare

Some people experience increased discomfort after an injection.

This is sometimes called a post-injection flare or steroid flare.

Pain may temporarily increase before settling over the following days.

Your clinician should explain what discomfort is expected and when symptoms require medical review.

2. Bruising or Soreness

Mild bruising, tenderness or soreness around the injection site can occur.

These symptoms are usually temporary.

3. Skin Colour Changes

Corticosteroid injections can occasionally cause the skin near the injection site to become lighter or darker.

Some changes may persist.

4. Changes to Fat Beneath the Skin

Localised loss of fatty tissue can occasionally occur, creating a small indentation in the skin.

This may be long-lasting or permanent.

5. Facial Flushing

Some patients experience temporary facial warmth or flushing following treatment.

This generally settles without further intervention.

6. Temporary Increases in Blood Glucose

Steroid injections can temporarily increase blood glucose levels.

This is particularly relevant for people with diabetes.

If you have diabetes, tell your clinician before treatment and follow their advice about monitoring your blood glucose afterwards.

What Are the Serious Risks of Steroid Injections?

Serious complications are uncommon, but patients should understand them before consenting to treatment.

Infection

An infection can occasionally develop after an injection.

Although uncommon, an infected joint or surrounding tissue can be serious and requires prompt medical attention.

Seek urgent medical advice if you develop increasing pain, redness, heat or swelling around the injection site, particularly if you also have a fever or feel unwell.

Allergic Reactions

Allergic reactions to medication or other substances used during a procedure are possible.

A severe allergic reaction is rare but requires emergency treatment.

Call 999 if you experience difficulty breathing, swelling of your tongue or throat, or other symptoms of a severe allergic reaction.

Tendon Weakening or Rupture

Corticosteroids can adversely affect tendon tissue in some circumstances.

This is why injection placement and the underlying diagnosis are particularly important.

Some tendon conditions are better treated with progressive rehabilitation rather than corticosteroid injections.

For example, steroid injections are generally avoided for Achilles tendinopathy because of concerns about tendon weakening and rupture.

Risks Associated With Repeated Injections

Repeated corticosteroid injections may increase the risk of adverse effects on certain tissues, including cartilage and tendons.

The appropriate frequency of injections depends on the condition, anatomical site, medication and individual circumstances.

There is no single safe number of injections that applies to everyone.

An injection should not simply be repeated whenever pain returns without reassessing the diagnosis and treatment plan.

Can Cortisone Injections Damage Joints?

A single corticosteroid injection does not automatically cause joint damage.

However, corticosteroid treatment is not appropriate for every joint condition, and repeated injections may carry additional risks.

Research has raised concerns about possible cartilage effects from repeated corticosteroid exposure in certain circumstances.

Your clinician should consider:

• Which joint is being treated

• The underlying condition

• How many previous injections you have received

• Whether earlier injections helped

• How long the benefit lasted

• Whether physiotherapy or another treatment could offer a better long-term approach

For knee osteoarthritis, for example, injections may provide short-term symptom relief, while therapeutic exercise remains a core part of treatment.

The aim should be to improve pain and function while avoiding unnecessary procedures.

Can Steroid Injections Damage Tendons?

Yes, corticosteroids can potentially weaken tendon tissue, particularly when used inappropriately or repeatedly.

This does not mean every injection near a tendon is unsafe.

Some conditions involving tendon sheaths or nearby inflamed structures may be suitable for carefully selected corticosteroid treatment.

However, the distinction between a tendon, its sheath and neighbouring structures matters.

For many tendon problems, progressive strengthening, activity modification and rehabilitation are more appropriate than an injection.

At Light Joints Physiotherapy, we do not recommend steroid injections simply because a tendon is painful.

The underlying diagnosis must guide treatment.

Do Cortisone Injections Weaken Your Immune System?

Corticosteroids can affect immune-system activity.

The systemic effects of a local injection are generally lower than those associated with prolonged or high-dose oral corticosteroids, but they are not necessarily absent.

The potential impact depends on the medication, dose, injection frequency and your medical circumstances.

Tell your clinician if you:

• Have an active infection

• Are taking antibiotics

• Have a condition affecting your immune system

• Take immunosuppressive medication

• Have recently received or are due to receive a vaccination

Your clinician can assess whether treatment should proceed, be delayed or be avoided.

Can Cortisone Injections Raise Blood Sugar?

Yes. Steroid injections can temporarily increase blood glucose levels, particularly in people with diabetes.

The size and duration of the increase vary.

If you have diabetes, your clinician should discuss the potential effect before treatment and advise you about appropriate monitoring.

Do not adjust prescribed diabetes medication without advice from the healthcare professional responsible for your diabetes care.

Who Should Avoid a Cortisone Injection?

Not everyone is a suitable candidate.

A steroid injection may need to be delayed, modified or avoided depending on your health and the condition being treated.

Tell your clinician if you:

• Have an infection or feel acutely unwell

• Have diabetes

• Take anticoagulants or other blood-thinning medication

• Have medication or local anaesthetic allergies

• Are pregnant or breastfeeding

• Have recently received or are due to receive a vaccination

• Have recently undergone surgery or have an operation planned

• Take medication that affects your immune system

• Have received previous corticosteroid injections

• Have an underlying condition that may increase injection-related risks

These circumstances do not always prevent treatment, but they require individual consideration.

A safe injection service should sometimes recommend that you do not have an injection.

What Happens During a Steroid Injection Appointment at Light Joints Physiotherapy?

At Light Joints Physiotherapy, the appointment begins with a clinical assessment.

Step 1: Assessment and Diagnosis

Your clinician will discuss your symptoms, relevant medical history, previous treatment and goals.

They will examine the affected area to determine whether an injection is clinically appropriate.

Step 2: Focused MSK Ultrasound, Where Appropriate

In selected cases, focused musculoskeletal ultrasound may help assess a tendon, bursa or other accessible soft-tissue structure.

Our combined physiotherapy and focused MSK ultrasound assessment uses point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) when clinically indicated.

This is a targeted clinical assessment, not a standalone comprehensive radiology scan.

An ultrasound assessment is not automatically required before an injection.

Step 3: Landmark-Guided Corticosteroid Injection

If an injection is appropriate, your clinician will explain the expected benefits, risks and alternatives and obtain your informed consent.

Our current injection service uses anatomical landmark guidance, rather than real-time ultrasound needle guidance.

Ultrasound-guided injections are planned for December 2026 and are not currently available at Light Joints Physiotherapy.

An injection is never guaranteed simply because an appointment has been booked.

Step 4: Aftercare and Rehabilitation

Following treatment, your clinician will provide advice about:

• Expected post-injection symptoms

• Activity and exercise

• Returning to work or sport

• Warning signs requiring medical review

• Rehabilitation and longer-term recovery

Where appropriate, physiotherapy can help improve strength, movement and functional capacity after an injection.

View our private steroid injection service and appointment information.

Does a Cortisone Injection Hurt?

There may be some discomfort during a corticosteroid injection.

The needle can cause a brief sharp sensation, and the medication may produce temporary pressure or discomfort.

The experience varies depending on the injection site, technique and individual sensitivity.

Local anaesthetic may be used in some procedures.

Your clinician should explain what to expect before treatment.

What Should You Expect After a Cortisone Injection?

Some soreness or a temporary increase in pain can occur after an injection.

Corticosteroids generally take time to produce their anti-inflammatory effect, so improvement may not be immediate.

Your clinician will provide specific advice about activity and rehabilitation.

It is important not to increase exercise or loading dramatically simply because pain has temporarily improved.

Where an injection helps, the period of reduced pain may be an opportunity to rebuild strength, movement and confidence.

How Long Do Cortisone Injections Last?

Cortisone injections may provide pain relief for several weeks or months, but the duration varies considerably.

Some patients experience meaningful improvement, while others have little or no benefit.

The response depends on:

• The condition being treated

• The injection site

• The medication used

• Your individual response

• Other factors influencing pain and function

Corticosteroid injections should not be viewed as a guaranteed cure.

For a more detailed explanation, read How Long Do Cortisone Injections Last?.

Are Cortisone Injections Better Than Physiotherapy?

Neither treatment is automatically better for every condition.

Steroid injections and physiotherapy have different purposes.

A corticosteroid injection may reduce pain or inflammation temporarily in selected conditions.

Physiotherapy aims to improve movement, strength, mobility and tolerance to everyday activities.

For some patients, physiotherapy alone is the preferred treatment.

For others, an injection may be considered alongside rehabilitation when pain is significantly limiting progress.

For example, a patient with persistent shoulder pain may benefit from a structured strengthening programme, while an injection might be considered if symptoms are preventing participation in treatment.

The best approach depends on the diagnosis, treatment goals and individual risks.

Learn more about our physiotherapy services in Leeds and Bradford.

What Are the Alternatives to Cortisone Injections?

Not every painful joint or tendon requires an injection.

Depending on your condition, alternatives may include:

Physiotherapy

A tailored programme may help improve movement, strength and functional capacity.

Progressive Strengthening

Gradually increasing muscle and tendon loading is an important part of managing many musculoskeletal conditions.

Activity Modification

Temporarily adapting aggravating activities can help manage symptoms while maintaining appropriate movement.

Load Management

Adjusting the frequency, intensity or duration of exercise can be particularly useful for some tendon-related conditions.

Medication

Your GP or pharmacist may advise on suitable pain-relief or anti-inflammatory medication, taking account of your medical history.

Further Investigation

If the diagnosis is uncertain or symptoms are not improving, additional clinical assessment or imaging may be appropriate.

Our focused MSK ultrasound assessment service can help answer selected soft-tissue questions where clinically indicated.

The aim is not to perform more tests or treatments than necessary, but to choose the approach most likely to help.

How Much Does a Private Cortisone Injection Cost in Leeds and Bradford?

At Light Joints Physiotherapy, our advertised injection prices are:

Medication is stocked by the clinic, so patients do not normally need to obtain the injection medication separately.

Appointments are subject to clinical assessment and availability.

You can learn more in our private cortisone injection cost guide for Leeds and Bradford.

For current treatment details and booking information, visit our joint and tendon injection service page.

Can You Get a Private Steroid Injection Without a GP Referral?

Yes. You can book a private steroid injection assessment at Light Joints Physiotherapy without a GP referral.

Your clinician will still need to establish whether an injection is appropriate before proceeding.

If treatment is not suitable, we will discuss alternatives, which may include physiotherapy or further medical investigation.

Where Can I Get a Private Cortisone Injection in Leeds?

Light Joints Physiotherapy offers private injection assessments at two Leeds clinics.

Colton, Leeds

Light Joints Physiotherapy – Colton

Suite 1, inside Jetts Fitness
5b Stile Hill Way
Colton, Leeds LS15 9JB

Learn more about our Colton clinic.

Rothwell, Leeds

Light Joints Physiotherapy – Rothwell

Suite 1, inside Jetts Fitness
75 Commercial Street
Rothwell, Leeds LS26 0QD

Learn more about our Rothwell clinic.

Where Can I Get a Private Steroid Injection in Bradford?

Our Bradford clinic is located in Greengates, near Apperley Bridge.

Greengates, Bradford

Light Joints Physiotherapy – Greengates

Suite 1, inside Jetts Fitness
800 Harrogate Road
Apperley Bridge, Bradford BD10 0QS

For clinic details and enquiries, visit our contact and locations page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Cortisone Injection Safety

Are cortisone injections safe?

Corticosteroid injections are generally considered safe for appropriately selected patients, but they carry risks. Temporary pain, bruising and blood glucose changes can occur, while infection and severe allergic reactions are uncommon but serious complications.

What are the most common side effects of cortisone injections?

Possible side effects include temporary pain, soreness, bruising, facial flushing, skin colour changes and raised blood glucose.

Can a cortisone injection make pain worse?

Yes. A temporary post-injection flare can cause increased discomfort before symptoms settle.

Can steroid injections damage cartilage?

Repeated corticosteroid injections may have adverse effects on cartilage in some circumstances. The risks depend on the joint, condition, dose and frequency of treatment.

Can steroid injections cause tendon rupture?

Corticosteroid exposure can potentially weaken tendon tissue and contribute to rupture risk in certain circumstances. This is why some tendon conditions are unsuitable for injection.

Can cortisone injections affect diabetes?

Yes. Blood glucose can rise temporarily after a steroid injection. People with diabetes should discuss monitoring and precautions with their clinician.

How long do cortisone injection side effects last?

Temporary soreness or a steroid flare often settles within a few days. Some local skin or fatty-tissue changes may last much longer or be permanent.

Are cortisone injections safe for older adults?

Age alone does not determine whether an injection is suitable. The decision depends on the condition, medical history, medications and individual risks.

How many steroid injections can you safely have?

There is no universal safe number. Repeat injections should be considered individually, taking account of previous benefit, injection site and potential tissue effects.

Is an ultrasound-guided injection safer than a landmark-guided injection?

Ultrasound guidance can improve placement accuracy for some procedures, but it is not necessary for every injection. Safety and clinical outcomes depend on the treatment site, diagnosis, technique and patient factors.

Light Joints Physiotherapy currently provides landmark-guided injections. Ultrasound-guided injections are planned for December 2026.

Do I need a GP referral for a private steroid injection?

No. You can arrange a private assessment directly with Light Joints Physiotherapy in Leeds or Bradford.

When should I seek urgent help after a steroid injection?

Seek urgent medical advice if you develop increasing redness, heat, swelling, severe pain or fever. Call 999 for symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, including difficulty breathing or swelling of the tongue or throat.

Should You Have a Cortisone Injection?

The most useful question is not simply:

“Are cortisone injections safe?”

It is:

“Are the potential benefits of a corticosteroid injection greater than the risks for my condition?”

That decision should be made following an appropriate clinical assessment.

At Light Joints Physiotherapy, we aim to help patients understand their diagnosis, treatment options and realistic expectations.

If an injection is appropriate, we will explain the procedure, benefits, risks and aftercare.

If it is not appropriate, we will discuss alternative treatment options.

Book a Private Steroid Injection Assessment in Leeds or Bradford

If persistent joint or soft-tissue pain is affecting your sleep, work, exercise or daily activities, a clinical assessment can help determine whether an injection may be suitable.

At Light Joints Physiotherapy, we offer private steroid injection assessments at our clinics in:

Colton, Leeds | Rothwell, Leeds | Greengates, Bradford

You do not need a GP referral to arrange an appointment.

View private steroid injection appointments and treatment information

Call: 0113 873 0766
Email: [email protected]

Clinical References and Further Reading

• NHS – Hydrocortisone injections – Uses, side effects and safety information.

• NICE NG226 – Osteoarthritis in over 16s: management – Guidance on exercise-based management and the selective use of intra-articular corticosteroid injections.

Clinical information notice: This article provides general educational information and does not replace individual medical advice. The suitability and safety of a corticosteroid injection depend on the diagnosis, medical history and circumstances of each patient.

Clinically reviewed by: Add the name and credentials of the LJP clinician who approves this article.

Last reviewed: 12/10/26