0156 4772 926
enquiries@suttoncoldfieldphysiotherapy.co.ukUltrasound Guided Steroid Injections
Cost £300 to include a scan prior to the Injection.
Local corticosteroid (steroid) injections can often give rapid and effective reduction in pain and inflammation; however, as with all injection treatments relief will usually be temporary. Although steroid injections are considered very safe, some people may experience side effects to treatment.
What are Corticosteroids?
Some corticosteroids are naturally occurring in the human body and man-made (synthesised) steroids act like some natural steroids to reduce pain and inflammation. These are not the same as (anabolic) steroids used by bodybuilders to increase muscle size. Steroids can be taken as tablets or given as an injection. The rationale for injecting steroids is to target a much smaller dose more precisely to the area of pain.
Steroids are often used by people with inflammatory conditions and musculoskeletal pain, such as inflammatory arthritis and will be prescribed by a doctor or specialist. However, they can also be used in degenerative diseases such as osteoarthritis and a range of other soft tissue conditions which also involved pain and/or inflammation.
Different steroids exist, some are shorter acting which work very quickly but unfortunately they only give only very short lived relief for a few days. Longer acting steroids such as those used for injections take around a week to work but can last for several months or infinitely to break the cycle of inflammation and pain.
What will happen after the Injection?
Often, if you have local anaesthetic, your pain may feel be relieved immediately after the injection. This initial numbing of the pain will usually wear off after a couple of hours. It will usually takes several days before the full effect of the steroid can be felt, with pain significantly reduced typically within a week of the injection.
You may wish to consider arrangements for your journey home after your injection. If you are planning to have local anaesthetic, this may cause some localised numbness for a couple of hours and therefore we recommend often best to avoid driving.
If you are having an injection into a joint you will be advised to avoid strenuous exercise for around five days afterwards. If you are having an injection around a tendon, you may be advised to avoid heavy impact and strenuous loading activities for 10-14 days afterwards. Your clinician will discuss return to activity and activity with you on the day of the treatment.
Will I require Repeat Injections?
If you find the injection helpful with your pain, and other treatments have been unhelpful or are unsuitable, steroid injections can usually be safely repeated. Some injections are used in order to provide a ‘window of opportunity’ to engage in exercise and rehabilitation. Generally your pain is better controlled the focus will return to exercise and conservative management, therefore often the need for further injections can be reduced. You can discuss the possibility of repeat injections with your clinician on the day of the treatment.
What are the Possible Risks and Side effects?
The vast majority of people have steroid injections without any significant side effects.
Generally, the risk of side effects is thought greater with stronger doses. The benefit of having ultrasound guided injections of steroid to give pain relief is to reduce the overall dose required in treatment. The steroids used are Depomedrone. They are stronger and also dissolve less quickly in your body. These steroids are preferred in clinical practice as they give better pain relief and offer longer treatment affects.
Can I have an Injection whilst on anti-biotics or if I have a suspected infection?
No you cannot have an Injection. A corticosteroid lowers your immune system for up to 2 weeks and could increase the infection systemically or local to the injection site.
Can I have an injection despite recently having a Vaccination?
No because of the reasons aforementioned a Corticosteroid injection could make you poorly and negate the effects of the vaccination. Research would indicate that you cannot have a corticosteroid 2 weeks either side of a vaccination.
Will the Injection Hurt?
We use local anaesthetic for vast majority of our injections. There can still be some minor discomfort at the time of injection, but most people tolerate the treatment very well and often report that the procedure was far less painful than they had feared. Ultrasound guidance allows many injections to be performed in a way that are much more comfortable for patients.
Can Injections Cause Changes to the Skin?
Some injections can occasionally cause some local thinning and lightening (depigmentation) in colour of the skin at the injection site. Rarely a steroid injection into muscles or joints can cause an small indentation (local fat atrophy) in the skin around the area. These changes will usually resolve after a few months, and the area returns to normal.
Are there any Risks of Infection?
Infection is a rare but potentially serious side effect following steroid injection. Studies suggest approximately 1:50,000, risk of infection following an injection. We take every step to minimise these risks by ensuring all infection prevention and control guidelines are strictly adhered to at all times. If after the injection the area were to become more painful, swollen and hot, you are advised to seek medical attention immediately, especially if you are also feeling generally unwell.
Will the Injection affect my Diabetes?
People with type I or II diabetes may experience a temporary fluctuation in their blood sugars for up to 5 days. Patients with unstable blood sugars are not suitable for Steroid Injections.
Other possible Side Effects
There are a number of other more minor side effects include facial flushing, temporary changes in menstruation and mood.
Are injections safe during pregnancy and Breast Feeding?
Unfortunately, we are not able to offer steroid injections to patients who are pregnant or Breast Feeding as the potential risks to the unborn/newly born baby are unknown.
How do I book?
To requesting an appointment for an injection
Please call 07719 959955 or email enquiries@suttoncoldfieldphysiotherapy.co.uk
When booking please ensure we have your full name, date of birth, your address and GP contact details. On the day you will be seen, assessed and evaluated with ultrasound scan. The findings of which will be discussed with you before proceeding with ultrasound guided injection.
Write us your query
The Hawthorns Surgery, 331, Birmingham Road,
Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands, B72 1Dl