Steroid injections, also called corticosteroid or cortisone injections, have an anti-inflammatory effect. They are used to treat a variety of joint and soft tissue conditions.
Such conditions include arthritis, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, several tendinopathies and bursitis.
Steroid injections are administered by a healthcare professional such as a doctor.
Steroid injections for stiff or painful shoulder.
Steroid injections for knee arthritis.
Steroid injections for carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger, base of thumb arthritis and De Quervians’s tenosynovitis.
Steroid injection for Trochanteric bursitis
FAQs on steroid injections.
A steroid injection is a medicine that relieves pain and reduces inflammation and swelling.
Yes, a steroid (or corticosteroid) injection comes in different forms. It is sometimes referred to as cortisone injection as this is a type of steroid.
Steroid injections are often used to treat pain in the shoulders, knees, hips, hand, ankles, feet and spine. They are also used to treat tendinopathies around the elbow.
Conditions treated by steroid injections include:
Arthritis, bursitis, tendinopathies, tendonitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger and trigger thumb.
Steroid injections may sting or feel uncomfortable, but should not be overly painful. You may also receive some local anaesthetic with your steroid injection to give you more immediate pain relief.
A steroid injection can start working to provide pain relief from a couple of hours, upto a week. This time frame varies between individuals.
Steroid injections should not be given more frequently into the same site more than 3 times a year.
Post-injection flare is the most common side effect after steroid injection. This is when you may feel pain, swelling and irritation and can last for 24-48 hours.
Infection is a potential risk, but is generally rare.
Temporary bleeding and bruising can also occur, and should settle.
Cosmetic risks include fat atrophy (loss of fat) and skin depigmentation (paler skin), around the injection site.
