Yes. You can book a private steroid injection assessment without a GP referral at Light Joints Physiotherapy in Leeds or Bradford. If a corticosteroid injection is clinically appropriate, treatment may be provided following assessment and informed consent.

You do not need to arrange a separate GP appointment simply to ask whether a private injection could help your joint or soft-tissue pain.

However, booking an injection appointment does not guarantee that an injection will be performed. Your clinician must first establish whether the treatment is appropriate, safe and likely to benefit your condition.

At Light Joints Physiotherapy, we provide private joint and tendon injection assessments at our clinics in Colton, Rothwell and Greengates.

Do You Need a GP Referral for a Private Steroid Injection?

No. Light Joints Physiotherapy accepts patients who contact us directly for private musculoskeletal assessment and injection treatment.

You may wish to book if:

• You have already been assessed by a GP or physiotherapist and were advised to consider an injection.

• Persistent joint pain is affecting your sleep, work or daily activities.

• Your symptoms have not improved sufficiently with appropriate treatment.

• Pain is preventing you from progressing with exercise or rehabilitation.

• You want to understand whether a corticosteroid injection is suitable for your condition.

If you are unsure whether an injection is the right next step, you can also start with a physiotherapy assessment.

Our priority is recommending the treatment that fits your diagnosis, rather than performing an injection simply because it has been requested.

What Is a Steroid Injection?

A steroid injection, also called a corticosteroid injection or cortisone injection, delivers anti-inflammatory medication into an appropriate joint or soft-tissue area.

It may reduce pain and inflammation in selected musculoskeletal conditions.

For some people, this provides a period of improved comfort that makes walking, sleeping, working or participating in rehabilitation easier.

However, corticosteroid injections do not repair damaged cartilage or tendons, and they are not a guaranteed long-term cure.

Learn more about when a joint injection may be worth considering.

What Conditions Can Private Steroid Injections Treat?

The suitability of a corticosteroid injection depends on the diagnosis, the intended treatment area and your individual medical circumstances.

Examples of conditions where an injection may be considered include:

Shoulder pain and bursitis

Selected shoulder conditions, including some cases of subacromial bursitis and frozen shoulder, may benefit from corticosteroid treatment.

If your shoulder pain is persistent or affecting sleep, our shoulder pain physiotherapy service can help assess the likely cause.

Knee osteoarthritis and inflammatory knee pain

A steroid injection may provide short-term symptom relief for selected patients with knee osteoarthritis, particularly when pain is preventing normal activity or exercise.

However, strengthening and exercise remain important parts of knee osteoarthritis management.

Learn more about our knee pain assessment and rehabilitation.

Wrist and hand conditions

Certain conditions, including trigger finger, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis and some cases of carpal tunnel syndrome, may be considered for corticosteroid injection depending on the clinical findings.

Selected foot and ankle conditions

Some inflammatory problems around the foot and ankle may be suitable for injection treatment.

However, not all heel or tendon pain should be treated with steroids. For example, Achilles tendinopathy generally requires a different approach because of potential tendon-related risks.

Read about our foot and ankle physiotherapy service.

Important: Light Joints Physiotherapy does not offer injections into the hip joint, neck, lower back or spine. For a full overview of treatment areas, see our joint and tendon injection service.

What Happens at a Private Steroid Injection Appointment?

A private injection appointment at Light Joints Physiotherapy begins with a clinical assessment.

1. We assess your symptoms

Your clinician will discuss:

• Where your pain is located

• How long you have experienced symptoms

• How pain affects daily activities

• Previous treatment and investigations

• Relevant medical conditions and medications

• What you hope to achieve from treatment

2. We examine the affected area

Your assessment may include movement testing, strength assessment and other relevant clinical examination.

Where appropriate, focused musculoskeletal ultrasound may provide additional information about selected accessible tissues.

3. We discuss whether an injection is appropriate

If corticosteroid treatment is suitable, your clinician will explain the expected benefits, possible side effects, risks and alternatives.

You will have the opportunity to ask questions before deciding whether to proceed.

4. Treatment and aftercare

If an injection is clinically appropriate and you consent, a suitably qualified clinician may perform a landmark-guided corticosteroid injection.

You will receive aftercare advice and guidance on activity and rehabilitation.

If an injection is not suitable, your clinician will explain alternative treatment or investigation options.

Do I Need an Ultrasound Scan Before a Steroid Injection?

No, not everyone needs an ultrasound scan before a steroid injection.

Some conditions can be assessed through clinical history and physical examination alone.

For other problems, focused musculoskeletal ultrasound may help answer a specific question about a tendon, bursa, joint fluid or another accessible structure.

At Light Joints Physiotherapy, our appropriately trained physiotherapists provide combined physiotherapy and focused MSK ultrasound assessment where clinically indicated.

This is a targeted point-of-care ultrasound assessment (POCUS), not a standalone comprehensive radiology scan.

Ultrasound assessment is not the same as ultrasound-guided injection treatment. Our current injection service uses landmark guidance. Ultrasound-guided injections are planned for December 2026 but are not yet available.

A scan is only performed when it is appropriate and useful for your assessment.

How Much Does a Private Steroid Injection Cost in Leeds or Bradford?

At Light Joints Physiotherapy, our current advertised prices are:

The £195 injection appointment includes the specialist assessment, treatment if appropriate, and rehabilitation and aftercare advice.

If an injection is not clinically appropriate, the assessment-only charge is £95, in line with our current injection pricing information. Please confirm the applicable fee when booking.

For further details, read our private cortisone injection cost guide or visit the current injection service and pricing page.

How Long Does a Steroid Injection Take to Work?

Corticosteroid injections usually take a few days to begin working, although this varies between patients and conditions.

Some people notice an improvement relatively quickly. Others take longer or experience little benefit.

If local anaesthetic is used, there may be temporary pain relief before the corticosteroid itself begins to work.

A temporary increase in discomfort, sometimes called a steroid flare, can also occur after treatment.

How Long Does a Cortisone Injection Last?

Pain relief varies considerably.

Some patients experience improvement lasting several weeks or a few months, while others have a shorter response or no meaningful relief.

The outcome depends on the condition being treated, the individual response and other factors.

An injection should not be viewed as a permanent cure.

Read our detailed article: How Long Do Cortisone Injections Last?.

Are Private Steroid Injections Safe?

Steroid injections are commonly used for selected musculoskeletal conditions, but no injection is entirely risk-free.

Potential complications include:

• Temporary pain or post-injection flare

• Bruising or soreness

• Changes in skin colour or local fatty tissue

• Temporary increases in blood glucose

• Infection, which is uncommon but potentially serious

• Allergic reactions

• Possible adverse effects on tendons or cartilage in certain circumstances

Your clinician will review relevant medical history, including diabetes, medications, allergies, infections and previous injections.

For a fuller explanation, read Are Cortisone Injections Safe? Risks, Side Effects & Alternatives.

If you develop increasing heat, swelling, redness, severe pain or fever after an injection, seek urgent medical advice. Difficulty breathing or swelling of the mouth or throat requires emergency assistance.

Is Physiotherapy Better Than a Steroid Injection?

Neither treatment is automatically better for every patient.

Physiotherapy aims to improve movement, strength, confidence and tolerance to activity.

Steroid injections may provide temporary pain relief in selected conditions, potentially making it easier to participate in rehabilitation.

For some people, physiotherapy alone is the best option. For others, an injection may form part of a broader recovery plan.

At Light Joints Physiotherapy, we take a rehabilitation-first approach and do not recommend injections where the likely benefits do not justify the risks.

You can explore our physiotherapy services in Leeds and Bradford if you would prefer to begin with a general assessment.

Where Can I Get a Private Steroid Injection in Leeds?

Light Joints Physiotherapy has two Leeds clinics.

Colton, Leeds

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

Find out more about our Colton physiotherapy, ultrasound and injection clinic.

Rothwell, Leeds

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

Find out more about our Rothwell physiotherapy, ultrasound and injection clinic.

Where Can I Get a Private Steroid Injection in Bradford?

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

Greengates, Bradford

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Private Steroid Injections

Can I get a private steroid injection without a GP referral?

Yes. You can book a private assessment directly with Light Joints Physiotherapy in Leeds or Bradford. An injection will only be performed if clinically appropriate.

Can I have a steroid injection at my first appointment?

An injection may be possible during the appointment if the clinician confirms that it is suitable and safe. It is not guaranteed.

Can I book an injection if my GP has already diagnosed my condition?

Yes. You can contact us to discuss the appropriate appointment. Your clinician will still need to assess suitability before treatment.

Can I get a private steroid injection for knee pain?

Possibly. Certain knee conditions, including selected cases of knee osteoarthritis, may benefit from a steroid injection. Other causes of knee pain may require different treatment.

Do I need an ultrasound scan before a private steroid injection?

Not necessarily. Focused ultrasound is used only when clinically indicated and is separate from the injection procedure.

Are your injections ultrasound-guided?

Not currently. Our present service uses landmark-guided injections. Ultrasound-guided injections are planned for December 2026.

How much does a private steroid injection cost?

One injection appointment currently costs £195, including the specialist assessment and treatment if appropriate. Two injections in the same appointment cost £295 where suitable.

What happens if I am not suitable for an injection?

Your clinician will explain the findings and alternatives. The current assessment-only charge is £95 when an injection is not performed because it is clinically unsuitable.

Will I need physiotherapy after an injection?

Often, rehabilitation remains useful. An injection may reduce pain, but it does not automatically restore strength, mobility or function.

Book a Private Steroid Injection Assessment in Leeds or Bradford

You do not need a GP referral to discuss private steroid injection treatment at Light Joints Physiotherapy.

Our clinicians assess your symptoms, explain your options and recommend an injection only when it is appropriate.

View injection appointments, treatment options and prices

Alternatively, call 0113 873 0766 or email [email protected].

Clinics: Colton, Leeds | Rothwell, Leeds | Greengates, Bradford

Clinical information notice: This article provides general information and does not replace an individual medical assessment. Injection suitability, risks and treatment availability depend on your circumstances.