How Can Steroid Injections Help Joint Pain?

How Can Steroid Injections Help Joint Pain?

Steroid injections work by delivering corticosteroids directly into the affected joint to reduce inflammation, often providing pain relief within days that can last weeks to months. They're generally recommended for moderate to severe joint pain that hasn't responded to oral medication or other treatments and can be a useful alternative for people wanting to avoid surgery. NICE guidelines recommend no more than three injections per joint within a 12-month period, as repeated use can lead to joint damage over time.

What Is Steroid Injection Therapy?

Joint pain can seriously affect your quality of life. It is a common problem that is found in people of all ages, ethnic backgrounds, shapes and sizes. When you have joint pain, it can range from uncomfortable to debilitating and everything in between. The causes of this can be varied, from osteoarthritis to overuse and injury.

While there are many different treatments available for joint pain, one of the most effective is steroid injection therapy, and it's one of the treatments I offer here at Relive Physiotherapy to help my clients manage their pain.

So, what are steroid injections? How do they work? What are the benefits and potential side effects? Most importantly, are they the right option for you and your issue?

Steroid injection therapy involves using corticosteroids (synthetic versions of hormones naturally produced by the adrenal glands) to reduce inflammation and reduce pain in the affected joint.

I typically administer the injection straight into the joint using ultrasound-guided injection therapy, which allows the steroid to reach the target area quickly and effectively.

If you have been told that you have osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis or tendonitis, then this could be the perfect solution for you.

How Does Steroid Injection Therapy Work?

The steroid which has been injected directly into the joint reduces the inflammation, which is a key contributor to pain and discomfort, especially in conditions such as arthritis. By injecting a corticosteroid directly into the joint, it helps to:

• Reduce Swelling – Steroids decrease the amount of fluid and tissue swelling around the joint.
• Decrease Pain – With reduced inflammation, pain levels typically decrease, providing relief for several weeks to months.
• Improve Mobility – By reducing pain and inflammation, joint function and mobility often improve, allowing you to return to daily activities with more freedom and significantly less pain.

What Are the Benefits of Steroid Injections?

• Fast Relief – Steroid injections can provide quick pain relief, often within a few days, making them an ideal option for acute flare-ups of joint pain.
• Long-Lasting Effects – Many of my clients experience relief for weeks or even months, depending on the severity of their condition and the joint being treated.
• Non-Surgical Option – Steroid injections offer an alternative to surgery, particularly for people who wish to avoid invasive procedures or who are not candidates for surgery.
• Improved Quality of Life – With less pain and inflammation, my clients often tell me about their improved sleep, better mobility, and a significant increase in their quality of life.

What Can You Expect from Injection Therapy Treatment with Me?

Before giving you the injection, I will examine your joint and ask you lots of questions about your medical history and medication, to be sure that there is nothing that could prevent you from having the injection.

I will thoroughly clean the joint with an antiseptic to reduce the risk of infection and will give you a local anaesthetic if you want to numb the area. My clients seldom ask for the anaesthetic as they tell me that the injection itself is not painful.

The steroid medication is then injected directly into the joint with a fine needle.

You may experience a little discomfort, but this will go very soon after the procedure. In some cases, you may feel immediate relief, whilst for others it may be a few days before you feel the full benefits.

While some discomfort may occur, the injection is usually well-tolerated, and the pain should subside after the procedure.

What Are the Potential Side Effects?

While steroid injections can be highly effective, they are not without risks. Some potential side effects include:

• Temporary Pain at the Injection Site – It's common to experience some soreness or tenderness after the injection.
• Infection – Although rare, there's always a risk of infection with any procedure that involves a needle.
• Elevated Blood Sugar Levels – Steroids can raise blood sugar, so if you have diabetes, you may need to monitor your levels more closely after an injection.
• Joint Damage – Repeated steroid injections in the same joint over time can lead to cartilage damage or weakening of the bones, so I won't give them too frequently.
• Flushing and Sweating – Some people experience temporary flushing, sweating, or other mild side effects after receiving a steroid injection.

How Often Can Steroid Injections Be Given?

Steroid injections are not a one-size-fits-all solution, and their frequency will depend on your individual condition. NICE (The National Institute for Care Excellence) recommends that no joint should be injected more than 3 times in a 12-month period.

If you have too many injections, it can lead to joint damage and other complications. If you find that you need frequent injections, then we may need to consider other treatment options alongside or instead of steroid injections, such as physiotherapy or surgery.

Who Do I Recommend Steroid Injection Therapy For?

I recommend steroid injections for people who:

• Have moderate to severe joint pain that stops them from going about their day-to-day life freely
• Cannot take oral medication, feel that it hasn't had the desired effects, or where other types of treatment have not worked
• Want to avoid surgery but need relief from chronic inflammation and pain
• Are dealing with conditions like osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, or bursitis

When you come to see me, I will discuss the options with you and help you decide whether steroid injection is the right treatment option for you based on your goals, health situation and your condition.

What Are the Alternatives to Steroid Injections?

While steroid injections can provide excellent pain relief, they are only one of several options available to you. Some of the other treatments include:

• Physiotherapy – Strengthening the muscles around your joint can help reduce pain and improve your ability to use it.
• Hyaluronic Acid/Durolane Injections – These injections aim to lubricate the joint, improving mobility and reducing pain, particularly in cases of osteoarthritis.
• Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) – Oral medications such as ibuprofen can help manage inflammation and pain.

Wondering If Steroid Injection Therapy Is Right for You?

If you aren't sure whether a steroid injection is for you, then your first action should be to call Relive Physiotherapy and talk to me. I'll be able to discuss your particular case and symptoms and make a recommendation to you over the phone. However, please remember that this is only a recommendation, and I can't give you a definitive answer without having properly examined you.

It can be a highly effective treatment for your joint pain, providing you quick relief from inflammation, pain and swelling. However, like any treatment, it is to be used in moderation and under the guidance of a trained professional. If you are having a daily struggle with joint pain and are considering steroid injections, the first thing to do is give us a call to see whether this is the right treatment type for you.

Once you've made the decision to talk to me, then you are closer to recovery, meaning you can go back to your daily life and the things that you used to do before pain struck.

Frequently Asked Questions

How quickly do steroid injections work?

Many people feel relief within a few days, though for some it takes slightly longer for the full benefit to be felt. Some clients experience immediate relief straight after the injection.

How many steroid injections can I have in a joint?

NICE guidelines recommend no more than three injections per joint within a 12-month period, as repeated use can lead to joint damage over time.

Are steroid injections painful?

Most clients find the injection itself is not painful, and a local anaesthetic is available if you'd prefer the area numbed beforehand, though it's rarely requested.

What conditions can steroid injections help with?

They're commonly used for osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, bursitis, and tendonitis, particularly where oral medication hasn't been effective or hasn't been suitable.

Are there alternatives to steroid injections for joint pain?

Yes. Physiotherapy, hyaluronic acid injections, and NSAIDs (like ibuprofen) are other options, and are sometimes used alongside or instead of steroid injections depending on the individual case.

About the Author:

Raj Gandhi

Lead Physiotherapist & Independent Non-Medical Prescriber

Raj Gandhi is a Chartered Physiotherapist and co-founder of Relive Physiotherapy, with over 20 years' specialist experience in Orthopaedics, Sports Injuries, and Musculoskeletal Medicine.

He holds a Master's degree in Sports Physiotherapy, a Postgraduate Diploma in Orthopaedic Medicine and Injection Therapy, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Independent Prescribing. Raj has a particular interest in treating back and neck pain, along with a wide range of sports injuries, and has worked as a Physiotherapist for the Commonwealth Games team. He spent over 10 years in the NHS before leaving to establish Relive Physiotherapy and is widely respected among colleagues for his expertise in Injection Therapy and his hands-on, manual approach to treatment.

Raj is a member of the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Orthopaedic Medicine and Injection Therapy (ACPOMIT), the Acupuncture Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (AACP), and the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports Medicine (ACPSEM). He also mentors the physiotherapy team at Relive, regularly leading training and supporting their ongoing development.

Outside the clinic, Raj is a father to two girls and enjoys playing tennis, listening to audiobooks, and photography.