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 Considered?

 Corticosteroid injection can be helpful when inflammation or significant tissue irritability is contributing to pain and loss of function. It may also be useful when symptoms are affecting sleep, everyday activity or progress with rehabilitation. 

Your specialist will consider your symptoms, examination findings, medical history, previous treatment and what you would like to get back to before discussing whether an injection is a suitable option for you.

If another treatment approach is likely to be more helpful, your specialist will talk this through with you and advise on the most appropriate next step.

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.

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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.

Potential Risks and Side Effects

Most people experience no serious complications, but every injection carries potential risks. These will be discussed before consent is obtained.

Temporary discomfort or a post-injection flare may occur during the first few days. Bruising, bleeding, facial flushing, sleep or mood disturbance, menstrual disturbance and a temporary rise in blood glucose can also occur.

Less commonly, there may be skin discolouration, thinning of the skin or loss of fatty tissue around the injection site. Steroid exposure may weaken tendon tissue, and tendon rupture is a recognised risk in certain areas. Rare complications include infection, allergic reaction, nerve injury and damage to surrounding structures.

Repeat corticosteroid injections are considered carefully. Your specialist will take account of any previous injections, the area being treated and your response to earlier treatment before recommending another injection.

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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