Rheumatologist/ Sports Medicine GP cortisone (steroid) injections
Getting a cortisone injection (sometimes called a steroid shot) directly into a sore joint, tendon or ligament can provide rapid relief from pain and discomfort.
At the GP Surgery in London, our rheumatologist or sports medicine doctor may suggest that you have a steroid injection if one or more of your joints are affected by inflammation or arthritis.
The injection helps reduce pain, swelling and stiffness in the affected joints, as well as improving movement. The beneficial effects of the injection could last up to three months. It’s important to note that it can only be repeated up to a maximum of four times per year.
In some cases, your doctor will need to draw out accumulated fluid in the joint area to test for conditions, such as gout or pseudogout, which could be the underlying cause of the joint pain.
What is cortisone used for?
Cortisone is a type of steroid which provides pain relief by reducing inflammation. When cortisone is injected directly into the site of inflammation (often a tendon or joint), the medication suppresses various elements of the immune system, calming inflammation and decreasing pain.
Cortisone injections are used to treat inflammation of small areas of the body like specific joints or tendons.
They can also treat widespread inflammation caused by chronic joint diseases such as arthritis, osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis which causes pain, stiffness, swelling, and limited movement.
Are there any side effects?
A single shot does not pose the risk of developing the typical side effects, such as gastrointestinal (stomach and gut) irritation, experienced with the use of other anti-inflammatory drugs taken orally.
Allergic reactions are rare, although some possible side effects include facial flushing, headaches or temporary elevations in blood sugar.
- Please note: This page is for cortisone injections performed WITHOUT ultrasound guidance.
Areas suitable for ‘blind’ (not guided by ultrasound) steroid injections
- Shoulder: Rotator cuff pathology, osteoarthritis glenohumeral joint.
- Knee: Osteoarthritis tibiofemoral joint.
What are the costs?
The following prices include a full consultation with your doctor:
| PROCEDURE | Price |
|---|---|
| Joint/ Tendon steroid injection | £150* 20 Minutes |
| Joint Aspiration +/- steroid injection | £170* 30 Minutes |
| + Sending off synovial fluid for crystal analysis (for gout/ pseudogout) | + £50 |
| * = £10 Surcharge for weekend appointment |
| If your doctor spends up to 20 minutes with you discussing the procedure and you decide against it, there will be a charge of £64 to £74. |
| You can only have a repeat of your steroid injection after a minimum of three months. |
- All steroid injections should ONLY be done under ultrasound guidance. Please see our ultrasound-guided steroid injection section.
What to expect after a cortisone injection
It’s common to feel warm in your chest and face, with some redness around the shot location.
Recommended aftercare
- Put an ice pack at the injection site if you feel pain;
- Take showers only (no baths or hot tubs); and
- Be gentle with the area around the injection for a couple of days. For example, if the shot is in your knee, limit exercise with your leg.
Meet your GPs specialising in rheumatology and sports medicine
