Steroid injections are commonly used to help reduce pain and inflammation affecting joints and surrounding soft tissues. They are used in a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions, including arthritis, bursitis, tendon-related pain and joint stiffness.
At Northern Medical Practitioners in Newcastle, we offer ultrasound-guided steroid injections as part of a careful, evidence-based approach, following appropriate assessment and discussion of alternative options.
Steroid injections are designed to manage symptoms rather than cure the underlying condition. They are not suitable for everyone and do not work in all cases. Our aim is to help you decide whether this treatment is appropriate for your situation.
If you are unsure which injection option is most appropriate, our joint injections page explains the full range of treatments we offer and how we assess suitability.
Steroid injections contain a corticosteroid medication that helps reduce inflammation. They are often combined with a local anaesthetic to improve comfort.
By reducing inflammation, steroid injections may help relieve pain and improve movement in joints or surrounding soft tissues. They are used to manage symptoms and can form part of a broader treatment plan.
Steroid injections may be considered for a range of musculoskeletal problems, including osteoarthritis, inflammatory joint pain, bursitis, tendon-related pain, and conditions such as frozen shoulder.
Suitability depends on your symptoms, examination findings and, where appropriate, imaging. Steroid injections are not appropriate for all conditions or all patients.
All injections at our clinic are performed by an experienced doctor using ultrasound guidance. This allows accurate placement of the injection while avoiding nearby structures. Local anaesthetic is used as needed to improve comfort.
The procedure is usually quick and well tolerated.
Steroid injections often provide short- to medium-term symptom relief, but response varies between individuals. Some people experience significant improvement, while others have little benefit. The effect is usually temporary.
We will discuss realistic expectations, potential risks, and what to do next if symptoms return or do not improve.
In selected cases of frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), we may offer ultrasound-guided hydrodistension. This involves injecting fluid into the shoulder joint to help stretch the joint capsule and improve movement.
Hydrodistension is not suitable for everyone and is considered based on symptom stage and response to other treatments.
If you are considering a steroid injection, we offer a free phone consultation to discuss your symptoms, review previous treatments and assess suitability. This also allows us to talk through alternative options such as hyaluronic acid injections, PRP or Arthrosamid, where appropriate.
If you are unsure whether a steroid injection is the right option, our joint injections page outlines the different injectable treatments we offer and how we help patients choose between them.
If treatment is suitable, you can then book for assessment and injection at our Blaydon clinic. No GP referral is required. Our service is doctor-led, ultrasound guided, and focused on choosing the most appropriate option for the individual rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
We also offer online follow-up using a secure patient platform, allowing you to report symptoms and outcomes over time.
Please contact us if the injection you require is not listed, as we may be able to help.
Knee
Shoulder (For arthritis or frozen shoulder)
Shoulder (Subacromial space for bursitis)
Hip Joint / Bursa / Greater Trochanter
Carpal Tunnel
Trigger Finger
Base of Thumb (Carpometacarpal Joint)
De Quervain's Tenosinovitis
Tennis Elbow
Base of Big Toe (Metatarsophalangeal Joint)
Wrist (Radiocarpal joint)
Ankle (Tibiotalar joint)
Plantar Fasciitis
Steroid injections are used to help reduce inflammation and pain in a range of musculoskeletal conditions. These include arthritis, bursitis, tendon-related pain, inflammatory joint conditions and problems such as frozen shoulder.
Suitability depends on your symptoms, examination findings and, where appropriate, imaging.
Steroid injections contain a corticosteroid medication that reduces inflammation in and around joints or soft tissues. By reducing inflammation, pain and stiffness may improve, allowing better movement and function. Steroid injections manage symptoms rather than cure the underlying condition.
If a steroid injection is effective, the benefit commonly lasts weeks to a few months, although this varies between individuals and conditions. Some people experience longer relief, while others notice little benefit. Steroid injections are not a permanent solution.
Steroid injections often act more quickly than other injectable treatments. Some people notice improvement within a few days, although this can vary. Local anaesthetic in the injection may provide short-term relief before the steroid effect begins.
As a general rule, we would not usually repeat a steroid injection within 3 months in the same joint, and would not give more than three injections in a year.
The exact number and frequency of injections depends on the joint or tissue involved, the underlying condition and your response to treatment. We will discuss safe limits and alternative options if symptoms recur.
Steroid injections cannot be repeated indefinitely and may become less effective with repeated use.
Steroid injections are commonly used and generally well tolerated when used appropriately. Temporary pain, swelling or stiffness after injection can occur. Less commonly, steroid injections may have side effects, which we will discuss with you as part of the consent process.
Yes. All injections at our clinic are performed under ultrasound guidance. This allows accurate placement of the injection and helps avoid surrounding structures.
Local anaesthetic is used as needed to improve comfort during the procedure.
Local anaesthetic is used as needed to improve comfort during the procedure.
Imaging is not always required, but previous X-rays, MRI scans or ultrasound reports can be helpful. Where appropriate, we can arrange X-ray, MRI or diagnostic ultrasound, or review imaging performed elsewhere, to guide treatment decisions.
They work in different ways. Steroid injections tend to act more quickly but may be shorter-lived, while treatments such as hyaluronic acid or Arthrosamid may have a slower onset but longer duration in selected patients. During your consultation, we will discuss the relative pros and cons and help you decide whether any injection is appropriate.
We offer a free phone consultation to discuss your symptoms and assess suitability. This allows us to talk through steroid injections and alternative options before you decide whether to proceed.
