Frequently Asked Questions

There is a significant body of research which demonstrates that ultrasound guided injections give better outcomes such as improved levels of pain relief, longer lasting benefits, and improve the post-injection function of the injected area, compared with injections that are done without ultrasound guidance ( e.g.blind/surface marked injections). There is also growing evidence that guiding the injection reduces the risk of trauma to local tissues or misplacement of the needle and/or the injection substance. This improves the safety of the injection and reduces the risk of adverse events associated with injection therapy. Because the location of the injection is more precisely known it reduces the chances of having unnecessary injections. Many patients find ultrasound guided injections to be more comfortable as often the required depth of the injection can be reduced

We advise not to drive yourself after the injection. Please arrange someone to take you back home. Your doctor will explain you any further precautions. Please do not hesitate to discuss any special question with your treating doctor you wish to.

Due to insufficient information about the effects and safety of steroid during pregnancy we avoid injecting steroids. Please discuss with your family physician or treating/ referring doctor for the safe use of steroids.

Steroid injection can be very effective for an number of musculoskeletal pain conditions. For a more comprehensive see list below.  Common injections include frozen shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis of the knee, trigger finger / thumb, osteoarthritis of any joint around foot or hand, localised soft tissue inflammation or tenosynovitis, such as de Quervains  or tendon inflammation at the shoulder. We also provide a range of Ostenil and Durolane (hyaluronic acid) injections which can be very beneficial to patients with degenerative joint pain (such as osteoarthritis) who are keen to keep moving and active.

Steroid injections are used to treat swollen or painful tissue and joints such as occur in arthritis and tendinitis. By helping to control inflammation and pain they make movement easier and enables a return to more normal function. There is extensive research showing that steroid injections provide improved and longer lasting pain control than standard oral medication.

Corticosteroids are well tolerated by the body and do not cause the typical side effects commonly associated with taking oral steroids or anabolic steroids.

Local ( Joints, muscles and tendon)  corticosteroids are well tolerated by the body and do not cause the typical side effects commonly associated with taking oral steroids or anabolic steroids.

We recommended no more than 2 injections to the hip, knee and ankle joints in the space of 12 months and no more than 3 injections per year in other parts of the body. Corticosteroids are well tolerated by the body and do not cause the typical side effects commonly associated with taking oral steroids or anabolic steroids.

This will depend upon the type of steroid used. The shorter acting soluble steroids begin to give relief within a couple of hours. The longer acting steroids may take up to a couple of weeks to become effective.

This will depend upon a number of factors including the nature and severity of the problem for which you are having the injection. Sometimes there is no improvement but the longer lasting less soluble steroids can be effective for many months. It is important you listen to the advice of your physiotherapist and continue with the exercise programme and make any lifestyle changes he or she recommends.