What Is a Corticosteroid Injection?

Corticosteroid is an anti-inflammatory medicine. When injected into or around an appropriate joint or soft-tissue structure, it may help reduce inflammation, pain and sensitivity.

This is not the same as an anabolic steroid used to increase muscle growth. Corticosteroid injections are medical treatments prescribed and administered following an individual clinical assessment.

The aim of a corticosteroid injection is to reduce pain and irritability, making movement and everyday activity more comfortable and, where appropriate, creating a useful window for rehabilitation.

When Might Corticosteroid Be Helpful?

Corticosteroid injection can be useful when pain and inflammation are making movement, sleep, work or rehabilitation difficult.

It is often considered when a joint or soft-tissue structure is particularly irritable and reducing inflammation could help restore more comfortable movement and make rehabilitation easier to progress.

Your specialist will consider the diagnosis, how reactive the problem is, previous treatment and what you would like to get back to before advising whether corticosteroid is likely to be helpful.

Conditions We Assess

Corticosteroid injection may be considered for selected cases of knee or shoulder osteoarthritis, subacromial pain and bursitis, De Quervain's syndrome, trigger finger, carpal tunnel syndrome, thumb-base osteoarthritis, big-toe osteoarthritis and Morton’s neuroma.

Corticosteroid may also have a role in carefully selected tendon-related or bursal presentations, including lateral hip pain, gluteal tendinopathy, tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow. Your specialist will consider the tissue involved, the stage of the problem and your individual circumstances before recommending treatment.

We do not provide spinal injections. Our specialist spinal physiotherapists can still assess neck or back symptoms, review relevant imaging and advise on the most appropriate treatment or onward referral where needed.

Explore Conditions Treated With Injection Therapy →

Corticosteroid Injection Clinics Across the Solent Region

Corticosteroid injections are available through our specialist clinics in Gosport, Fareham, Emsworth and Clanfield, depending on the area or condition being treated.

Our Gosport injection clinic is based at Stoke Road, with additional injection services provided by our specialist physiotherapists in Fareham, Emsworth and Clanfield.

We also regularly see patients travelling from Portsmouth, Southampton and the wider Hampshire area for specialist assessment and injection therapy.

Do I Need a Scan?

Imaging is not required before every corticosteroid injection. For many accessible joints and soft-tissue structures, the likely diagnosis and injection site can be established through a detailed history and specialist clinical assessment. 

Our clinicians provide clinically guided (landmark-guided) injections. If ultrasound guidance or further imaging would be helpful for your particular presentation, we will advise you on the most appropriate next step.

Where you already have X-rays, ultrasound or MRI scans, your specialist can review these alongside your symptoms and examination findings. Further imaging can also be requested when it would help clarify diagnosis or treatment.

When extra care may be needed

Certain medical circumstances may mean that an injection needs to be postponed, adapted or discussed in more detail before treatment. These include active infection, broken or infected skin near the injection site, allergy to an injection component or concern about another diagnosis that requires investigation. 

We will also take particular care if you take anticoagulant medication, have a bleeding disorder or diabetes, are pregnant or breastfeeding, have recently received a vaccination, or have had or are awaiting certain surgery.

These circumstances do not always prevent treatment, but they are important for us to know about. Please do not stop any prescribed medication unless advised by an appropriate healthcare professional.

What Might I Notice After a Corticosteroid Injection?

Most people tolerate corticosteroid injections well. It is quite common to notice some temporary soreness, aching or increased discomfort around the injection site for a short period afterwards, and occasionally symptoms can feel more irritable before they begin to settle. Mild bruising can also occur, and some people experience temporary facial flushing. If you have diabetes, your blood glucose may rise for a short period following the injection.

Less commonly, corticosteroid can cause a small area of skin colour change or thinning of the tissue around the injection site. As with any injection, there is also a small risk of infection, bleeding, allergic reaction or irritation of a nearby nerve or tendon. Your specialist will discuss any risks that are particularly relevant to the area being treated and your individual medical history before you decide whether to proceed.

What Happens After the Injection?

You will receive advice tailored to the structure treated, your usual activities and the purpose of the injection. A short period of relative rest is often recommended before activity is gradually resumed. 

Some people notice improvement within several days, while for others it takes a little longer. The degree and duration of benefit vary from person to person.

Your specialist will explain what to expect after treatment, when to seek further advice and how to progress activity or rehabilitation according to your response.

Explore Other Injection Options
Not sure corticosteroid is the right treatment? You can return to our main Injection Therapy page to compare the options we offer. 

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