What are Steroid Injections?
Steroid injections, or corticosteroid injections, can be an excellent treatment for inflamed joints, tendon sheaths and for individuals with chronic joint pain conditions, for example, inflammatory arthritis like Rheumatoid, and also alopecia.
Some steroid injections start to relieve pain within hours and the effects should last about a week. Your doctor might call these short-acting soluble steroids. Soluble means that the drug dissolves quickly in your body and starts working quickly.
AT A GLANCE
DURATION
30 minutes
ANAESTHESIA
Local if Required
TREATS
Joint pain, Back Pain, Arthritis and Sciatica
RECOVERY
2-3 Days
PRICE
from £165
What happens during treatment with steroid injections?
Steroid injections can be targeted directly to the source of pain and inflammation by being injected in different ways. This includes:
- Intra-articular injections: Directly into the inflamed joint for maximum relief.
- Peri-articular injections: Into the soft tissue near the joint to provide surrounding pain relief.
- Intra-muscular injections: Directly into a muscle for muscle-related pain.
Why Get a Steroid Injection?
Steroid injections often ease inflammation in a joint so it can work better. They may keep you from needing to use oral steroids or higher doses of oral steroids, which could have stronger side effects.
Common Steroid Injection Questions
Most people experience minimal to no side effects. While the injection process may be slightly uncomfortable, many find it less daunting than anticipated.
In some cases, there might be a temporary exacerbation of joint pain within the first 24 hours. This typically resolves on its own within a couple of days, and over-the-counter pain relievers like paracetamol can help
Yes, occasional thinning or alterations in skin colour may occur, especially with stronger injections.
One advantage of steroid injections is the ability to keep the dose low, significantly reducing the likelihood of systemic side effects like weight gain. These effects are generally rare unless injections are given frequently, exceeding a few times per year
Yes, mood changes, such as feeling very high or very low, may occur. Individuals with a history of mood disturbances should discuss any concerns with their healthcare consultant.
DR FARZAD ENTIKABI
MB BS MSc MRCS(Eng) MRCGP DFSRH
Founder and Medical Director
Dr Entikabi graduated from Guys’, King’s and St Thomas’ Medical School. He is a dual member by assessment of the Royal College of General Practitioners and Royal College of Surgeons of England.