When Do You Know You Need a Joint Injection?
Wondering whether a cortisone or steroid injection could help your joint pain? Find out when an injection may be appropriate, what happens during treatment, the potential benefits and risks, and what alternatives may be available.
If persistent shoulder, knee, hip, elbow or other joint pain is affecting your sleep, work, exercise or everyday activities, you may be wondering whether a corticosteroid injection is the right next step.
A joint injection is not automatically necessary just because pain has lasted a long time. The decision depends on what is causing your pain, how severe your symptoms are, what treatments you have already tried and whether an injection is clinically appropriate.
At Light Joints Physiotherapy, our physiotherapists assess your symptoms before recommending an injection. Where appropriate, ultrasound guidance can be used to help accurately target the intended area.
Looking for a private joint injection in Leeds or Bradford?
How do you know if you need a joint injection?
There is no single symptom that means you “need” a cortisone injection.
A corticosteroid injection may be considered when:
- Joint or soft-tissue pain is significantly affecting your daily activities
- Pain is interfering with sleep, work or exercise
- Your symptoms have not improved sufficiently with appropriate rehabilitation
- Pain is preventing you from progressing with physiotherapy or exercise
- Other treatment options have been unsuitable, ineffective or poorly tolerated
- Your clinical assessment suggests that reducing inflammation may help
An injection should be considered as one part of a wider treatment plan, rather than simply a way of masking pain.
For some people, physiotherapy, exercise, load management or other conservative treatment may be more appropriate.
What is a cortisone injection?
A cortisone injection, also called a corticosteroid or steroid injection, delivers corticosteroid medication into a specific area to reduce inflammation and pain.
Depending on the condition being treated, the injection may be directed into a joint, bursa or another appropriate area.
The aim is generally to reduce pain and inflammation sufficiently to make normal movement and rehabilitation easier.
Corticosteroid injections are used for a range of musculoskeletal conditions, but they are not suitable for every type of joint or tendon pain.
An assessment is therefore important before deciding whether an injection is appropriate.
What conditions can joint injections help?
Depending on the diagnosis and clinical assessment, corticosteroid injections may be considered for conditions affecting areas such as:
Shoulder pain
Injections may sometimes be considered for conditions involving shoulder inflammation, including some cases of subacromial pain, bursitis or frozen shoulder.
Knee pain
Corticosteroid injections may be considered for some people with knee osteoarthritis and other inflammatory joint conditions.
Hip pain
Injections may be considered for some causes of hip pain, including greater trochanteric pain syndrome (GTPS) and bursitis.
Elbow pain
Depending on the diagnosis, an injection may sometimes be considered for inflammatory conditions affecting the elbow.
Foot and ankle pain
Some inflammatory joint and soft-tissue conditions affecting the foot or ankle may be suitable for injection treatment.
The diagnosis matters.
For example, not every tendon problem is suitable for a corticosteroid injection, and some tendon conditions may require a different rehabilitation approach.
When might a cortisone injection be worth considering?
A corticosteroid injection may be worth discussing if pain is preventing you from doing things that are important to you.
1. Your pain is affecting sleep
Persistent joint pain that wakes you at night or makes it difficult to get comfortable can have a significant effect on your quality of life.
2. Pain is limiting normal activities
If you are struggling with walking, getting dressed, using your arm, climbing stairs or carrying out normal daily activities, reducing pain may help you regain function.
3. Rehabilitation has reached a plateau
Sometimes pain can make it difficult to progress with strengthening or mobility exercises.
In selected cases, reducing pain may make it easier to continue rehabilitation.
4. You need help returning to normal activity
If pain is preventing you from returning to work, exercise or sport, your clinician may discuss whether an injection is an appropriate part of your treatment plan.
5. Other treatments haven’t provided enough relief
If you have already tried appropriate physiotherapy, exercise or other conservative treatments without sufficient improvement, an injection may be one option to consider.
However, more treatment is not always better treatment. The correct approach depends on the underlying diagnosis.
When might a joint injection NOT be the right choice?
A corticosteroid injection may be worth discussing if pain is preventing you from doing things that are important to you.
1. Your pain is affecting sleep
Persistent joint pain that wakes you at night or makes it difficult to get comfortable can have a significant effect on your quality of life.
2. Pain is limiting normal activities
If you are struggling with walking, getting dressed, using your arm, climbing stairs or carrying out normal daily activities, reducing pain may help you regain function.
3. Rehabilitation has reached a plateau
Sometimes pain can make it difficult to progress with strengthening or mobility exercises.
In selected cases, reducing pain may make it easier to continue rehabilitation.
4. You need help returning to normal activity
If pain is preventing you from returning to work, exercise or sport, your clinician may discuss whether an injection is an appropriate part of your treatment plan.
5. Other treatments haven’t provided enough relief
If you have already tried appropriate physiotherapy, exercise or other conservative treatments without sufficient improvement, an injection may be one option to consider.
However, more treatment is not always better treatment. The correct approach depends on the underlying diagnosis.
When might a joint injection NOT be the right choice?
An injection isn’t automatically the best treatment for persistent pain.
It may not be appropriate when:
- Your symptoms are mild and improving
- Your condition is responding well to rehabilitation
- There is no clear indication for corticosteroid treatment
- The potential risks outweigh the likely benefits
- Another treatment is more appropriate
- The source of your pain has not yet been properly assessed
In these situations, your physiotherapist may recommend approaches such as:
- Strength and conditioning
- Mobility exercises
- Load management
- Activity modification
- Physiotherapy
- Manual therapy where appropriate
- Gradual return to exercise or sport
The aim should be to treat the cause and consequences of your pain, rather than simply reducing symptoms temporarily.
Can a joint injection be combined with physiotherapy?
Yes. In appropriate cases, an injection and physiotherapy can form part of the same treatment plan.
The purpose of an injection is not simply to eliminate pain. Reducing pain may provide an opportunity to improve movement, strength and function through rehabilitation.
For example, if shoulder pain is preventing you from completing strengthening exercises, reducing symptoms may make it easier to participate in an appropriate rehabilitation programme.
Your physiotherapist can advise you on how and when to return to exercise following treatment.
How Our Process Works
Assess
We’ll discuss your symptoms, medical history and goals before completing a detailed musculoskeletal assessment.
Diagnosis
We’ll explain your diagnosis. Diagnostic ultrasound may be used where clinically appropriate to support treatment decisions.
Injection
If an injection is clinically appropriate and you choose to proceed, it can usually be performed during the same appointment.
Treat
If an injection is clinically appropriate and you choose to proceed, it can usually be performed during the same appointment.
How quickly does a cortisone injection work?
Corticosteroid injections generally take a few days to start working, although the timing varies between people and conditions.
If local anaesthetic is used, you may notice temporary pain relief shortly after the procedure.
As the anaesthetic wears off, the original pain may return before the corticosteroid begins to take effect.
Some people also experience a temporary increase in pain after an injection, sometimes called a steroid flare.
If the injection is effective, pain and function may improve over the following days and weeks.
How quickly does a cortisone injection work?
The duration of pain relief varies considerably.
For many people, corticosteroid injections provide relief for several weeks to a few months, although some people experience shorter or longer periods of improvement.
The duration can depend on:
- The condition being treated
- The area injected
- The severity of the problem
- The medication used
- Your individual response
- Whether rehabilitation is undertaken alongside the treatment
A corticosteroid injection should therefore not be viewed as a guaranteed permanent solution.
If you want to understand more about duration, read our detailed guide: How Long Do Cortisone Injections Last?
Are joint injections safe?
Corticosteroid injections are commonly used treatments, but all medical procedures carry potential risks.
Possible side effects can include:
- Temporary pain or soreness
- A temporary increase in pain after the injection
- Bruising or bleeding
- Changes to skin pigmentation
- Skin or soft-tissue changes around the injection site
- A temporary rise in blood glucose levels in people with diabetes
More serious complications, such as infection or an allergic reaction, are uncommon but possible.
Your clinician should discuss the potential benefits, risks and alternatives with you before treatment.
You should tell your clinician if you have relevant medical conditions, allergies, take regular medication, have an infection or have recently undergone other medical treatment.
What should you do after a joint injection?
Your aftercare instructions will depend on the area treated and your individual condition.
You may be advised to avoid strenuous activity for a period after the injection before gradually returning to normal movement and exercise.
Do not assume that feeling better immediately means the underlying problem has completely recovered.
If your pain improves, use that improvement as an opportunity to gradually restore strength, mobility and function.
Your physiotherapist can advise you on an appropriate rehabilitation plan.
How many cortisone injections can you have?
There is no single number that applies to everyone.
Whether another corticosteroid injection is appropriate depends on factors including:
- The body area being treated
- The underlying condition
- The medication and dose
- Your response to previous injections
- How long the previous benefit lasted
- Your overall health
- Other treatments you have received
Repeated injections should therefore be considered on an individual basis rather than simply following a fixed schedule.
If your pain returns, your clinician can reassess the problem and discuss whether another injection or a different treatment would be more appropriate.
How much does a joint injection cost in Leeds and Bradford?
Corticosteroid Injection
£195
- Specialist Clinical Assessment Inc. Ultrasound Scan
- Clear Diagnosis & Treatment Plan
- Landmark Corticosteroid Injection if Appropriate
- Rehabilitation & Aftercare
Price includes £95 assessment fee
Two Corticosteroid Injections
£295
- Specialist Clinical Assessment Inc. Ultrasound Scan
- Clear Diagnosis & Treatment Plan
- Two landmark injections in the Same Appointment
- Rehabilitation & Aftercare
Price includes £95 assessment fee
Where can I get a joint injection in Leeds?
Leeds – Colton
Suite 1, inside Jetts Fitness
5b Stile Hill Way
Colton
Leeds
LS15 9JB
Visit our Colton physiotherapy clinic
Leeds – Rothwell
Suite 1, inside Jetts Fitness
75 Commercial Street
Rothwell
Leeds
LS26 0QD
Visit our Rothwell physiotherapy clinic
Where can I get a steroid injection in Bradford?
Our Bradford clinic is located in Greengates, near Apperley Bridge.
Bradford – Greengates
Suite 1, inside Jetts Fitness
800 Harrogate Road
Apperley Bridge
Bradford
BD10 0QS
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I need a cortisone injection?
You may want to discuss a corticosteroid injection if persistent pain is affecting your sleep, work, exercise or daily activities and has not improved sufficiently with appropriate treatment. An assessment is needed to determine whether an injection is actually suitable.
Is a cortisone injection a permanent cure?
Usually not. A corticosteroid injection is generally intended to reduce pain and inflammation. If it works, the improvement can provide an opportunity to restore movement and function through rehabilitation.
Should I have an injection or physiotherapy?
It depends on the cause of your pain. Physiotherapy and rehabilitation may be sufficient for some conditions, while an injection may be considered for others. In some cases, both can form part of the same treatment plan.
How long does a steroid injection take to work?
A corticosteroid injection commonly takes a few days to begin working. If local anaesthetic is used, you may experience temporary pain relief sooner.
How long does a cortisone injection last?
Pain relief commonly lasts several weeks to a few months, although the duration varies depending on the condition and individual response.
Do joint injections hurt?
There can be some discomfort during and after an injection. Your clinician will explain the procedure beforehand and discuss ways of minimising discomfort where appropriate.
Can I exercise after a cortisone injection?
You will normally receive advice about temporarily modifying activity and then gradually returning to exercise. The appropriate timeframe depends on the area treated and your condition.
Can I have another steroid injection if my pain returns?
Possibly, but repeat injections should be considered individually. Your clinician should reassess your symptoms and consider the benefits, risks and alternatives before recommending further treatment.
Where can I get a cortisone injection near Leeds?
Light Joints Physiotherapy provides private corticosteroid injections from clinics in Colton and Rothwell, Leeds, as well as Greengates in Bradford.