Steroid Injection

Welcome to our Walsall based physiotherapy clinic where we provide a range of comprehensive treatment options to help you recover from injuries, improve mobility and manage chronic conditions.  One of the services we offer is a steroid injection, also known as 'Cortisone' injection, which can be a useful treatment in managing pain and inflammation.  Our team of expert physiotherapists are trained and experienced in administering steroid injections to our patients.

Our team uses a minimally invasive technique to administer the injection, ensuring maximum effectiveness with reduced discomfort.  The injection is usually given directly into the affected area to help reduce inflammation and alleviate pain.

We understand living with pain and discomfort can have a significant impact on your quality of life.  Our goal is to help you manage your symptoms so that you can get back to doing the things you love.

Further Information on Steroid (Cortisone) Injections

What is a Steroid Injection?

A steroid injection also known as a cortisone injection or cortisone shot, it is a treatment option that involves injecting a corticosteroid medication into the affected area.  The corticosteroid is a synthetic version of cortisol, which is a hormone that the body produces naturally to help reduce inflammation.  They're not the same as anabolic steroids used by body builders to increase muscle size and strength.

How does a Steroid Injection Work?

A steroid injection works by reducing inflammation and swelling in the affected area.  The corticosteroid blocks the production of certain chemicals that cause inflammation this in turn leads to pain relief.  The effects of the injection can be felt within a few days, they can sometimes take around a week to become effective which can ease your symptoms for a few months or even longer.

How quick the treatment works and how long it lasts will also depend on your condition.  The duration of pain relief can vary depending on the individual case.

The benefits of Steroid Injections are:

1.  Reduced Pain and Inflammation

Steroid Injections provide quick and effective relief from pain and inflammation making them the ideal option as a form of treatment for various conditions.

2.  Improved Mobility

By reducing inflammation and pain, steroid injections can help improve mobility and allow patients to perform daily activities with ease.

3.  Non Surgical

Steroid Injections offer a non surgical alternative to pain management making them an attractive option for people who want to avoid surgery or have not responded well to other treatments.

What Conditions can be treated with Steroid Injection?

Steroid injections can be used to treat a wide range of conditions including:

• Arthritis - Shoulder, Knee, Hand, Wrist and Thumb
• Bursitis - Sub-acromial, Hip, Knee and Elbow
• Tendinitis - Tennis and Golfers elbow, Rotator Cuff Pain
• Tenosynovitis - De Quervain's tenosynovitis
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
• Trigger finger
• Plantar fasciitis

How Successful is the Steroid Injection?

The success of the steroid injection treatment can vary depending on the condition being treated, severity of the condition and the individual patient.  Some patients may experience significant relief from symptoms whilst others may also see a modest improvement.  Our physiotherapists will work with you to determine expected duration and if a steroid injection is an appropriate treatment option for your specific condition.

What are the side effects of Steroid Injections?

While steroid injections are generally considered safe, they do carry some risk.  Most people have steroid injections without any side effects.  They can be a little uncomfortable at the time of injection but many people feel that this is not as bad as they feared.

Occasionally people notice a flare up in their joint pain within the first 24 hours after an injection.  This usually settles by itself within a couple of days, taking simple painkillers like paracetamol will help.

Injections can occasionally cause some thinning or changes in the colour of the skin at the injection site.

Very rarely you may get an infection in the joint after the time of an injection.  If your joint becomes more painful and hot you should see your doctor immediately especially if you feel unwell.

People are often concerned about the possibility of other steroid related side effects such as weight gain.  One of the advantages of steroid injections compared to tablets is that often the dose can be kept low.  This means that these other side effects are very rare unless injections are given frequently, more than a few times per year.

Steroid injections can sometimes cause temporary changes to women's periods.  They can also cause changes to peoples mood, you may feel very high or very low.  This may be more likely if you have a history of mood disturbance.

Our physiotherapists will discuss the risks and benefits of steroid injection before you proceed with the procedure.

How long does the Steroid Injection last?

The duration of steroid injection treatment can vary depending on the condition being treated and the individual patient.  In some cases, a single injection may provide long lasting relief.  In other cases, additional injections may be necessary to maintain the effects.

FAQ

Q:  Is a steroid injection painful?

A:  You may experience some temporary pain or discomfort at the injection site, but our team will take steps to minimise any discomfort during the procedure.

Q:  How long does the procedure take?

A:  The procedure typically takes between 10-15 minutes.

Q:  How long does it take for the steroid injection to work?

A:  It varies from patient to patient, but most patients experience some relief within a few days whilst others may take longer.

Q:  Will I be able to return to normal activities immediately after the injection?

A:  You may need to rest the affected area for a short period after the injection but most patients are able to resume normal activities within a few days.

Q:  Are Steroid Injections safe?

A:  Steroid injections are generally safe when performed by a trained healthcare professional.  However as with any medical procedure there are potential risks and side effects that the physiotherapist will discuss with you.

Q:  Can I drive home after a Steroid Injection?

A:  It can be safe to drive home after your injection.  You might be advised to wait for 10 to 15 minutes in the clinic after your steroid injection.  You may want to arrange transport home after the injection as the local anaesthetic in the injection may cause numbness making it difficult to drive.

Q:  Are there any precautions I need to take after the injection?

A:  You may be advised to avoid strenuous activities for a few days to a week after the injection.  You should monitor the injection site for signs of infection.

Q:  Can I take other medication along with Steroid Injections?

A:  You can take other medications with steroid injections.  However, if you're taking a drug that thins the blood known as an anticoagulant (e.g. Warfarin) you may need an extra blood test to make sure that your blood is not too thin to have the injection.  This is due to the risk of bleeding into the joint.

You should mention that you take anti coagulants to the person giving you the injection.  You may be advised to adjust your warfarin dose before having the steroid injection.

Q:  Can I have a Steroid Injection if I've just had a vaccination?

A:  Steroid Injections reduce the effect of your body's immune system in the short term, this is how they reduce inflammation.

Some vaccines work by giving you a very small dose of a particular disease, so that you become immune to it.  You won't be able to have a steroid injection within 2 weeks if you've had certain vaccinations.

Q:  Can I drink alcohol after a Steroid Injection?

A:  There's no reason to avoid alcohol after a steroid injections.

Q:  Can I have a Steroid Injection if I'm Pregnant or Breast Feeding?

A:  Current guidelines state that steroid injections are not harmful in pregnancy or breastfeeding.  Single steroid injections shouldn't affect fertility, breast feeding and pregnancy.  If you are pregnant or breast feeding you should discuss this with our physiotherapist.

Steroid injections are an effective treatment option for many conditions.  In many cases they can provide long lasting relief and help patients return to their daily activities without pain.

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort due to a musculoskeletal condition, our physiotherapists can help determine if a steroid injection is the right treatment option for you.  We offer personalised treatment plans to ensure that patients receive the most effective and appropriate treatment for their condition.

Our physiotherapy clinic is conveniently located in Walsall and we are proud to serve patients from the surrounding areas of Wolverhampton and Birmingham.  We understand the impact that pain and discomfort can have on daily life; we are committed to helping our patients find relief through effective and safe treatments.

If you are interested in learning more about steroid injections or if you would like to schedule an appointment with one our physiotherapists, please contact us today.

We look forward to helping you achieve a pain free lifestyle.