Joint Injections (Steroids, PRP, Stem Cell)
Targeted injections that aim to reduce inflammation or support tissue healing in painful joints. Options include steroid, PRP, and stem cell therapies depending on suitability
Suprascapular Nerve Block
A minimally invasive injection that targets the suprascapular nerve, which may help reduce shoulder pain and improve movement
Genicular Nerve Block or Ablation
A diagnostic and therapeutic approach for knee pain, using nerve blocks and radiofrequency ablation to target the nerves supplying the knee joint.
Acetabular Nerve Block or Ablation
A targeted treatment for hip related pain, aiming to reduce discomfort by addressing the sensory nerves around the hip joint.
Overview
Joint pain treatment begins with identifying the true source of symptoms. Joint pain can arise from several causes including arthritis, injury, overuse, inflammation, or nerve related problems. Because symptoms often overlap, accurate diagnosis is essential. Treating the wrong structure can lead to frustration and limited improvement.
A specialist approach to joint pain treatment helps determine what is driving the pain and supports a personalised treatment plan. This ensures that care is targeted, appropriate, and aligned with your goals, whether that is returning to sport, improving mobility, or moving more comfortably in daily life.
Who this treatment helps
Joint pain treatment may help people with:
- Persistent joint pain affecting daily activity or sleep
- Arthritic joint pain with stiffness and reduced movement
- Pain following injury, strain, or overuse
- Inflammatory joint symptoms or repeated flare ups
- Reduced confidence in walking, exercise, or movement
- Symptoms that have not improved with rest, medication, or physiotherapy
A consultant assessment helps confirm the cause of pain and decide which treatment options are most appropriate.
Joint pain treatment assessment
Your assessment usually includes a detailed review of symptoms, previous treatments, and any relevant imaging. The aim is to understand which structure is causing pain and how symptoms are affecting your daily function.
- Detailed discussion of symptoms and medical history
- Examination of joint movement, strength, and stability
- Review of previous imaging such as X ray, MRI, or ultrasound
- Consideration of activity levels, lifestyle factors, and earlier treatments
If further imaging is needed, your consultant will advise on the most suitable option. Careful assessment allows joint pain treatment to be directed to the correct source of pain.
What treatment may involve
Once the likely pain source has been identified, suitable treatment options may include:
- Steroid injections to reduce inflammation in selected joints
- PRP or stem cell therapy in carefully selected cases
- Nerve blocks to interrupt pain signals where appropriate
- Radiofrequency treatment for longer lasting pain relief in selected cases
- Combined treatment with physiotherapy or rehabilitation support
Each treatment is chosen based on symptoms, imaging findings, and overall health. Your consultant will explain which options are most relevant to your diagnosis and goals.
What to expect during the procedure
If an injection or interventional treatment is recommended, your consultant will explain the exact procedure and expected outcomes. In general, treatment may involve:
- Confirmation of the diagnosis and treatment target
- Preparation of the skin using sterile technique
- Use of local anaesthetic where appropriate
- Careful needle placement into the joint or around the target structure
- Delivery of medication or other treatment
- Short monitoring period before discharge
The exact procedure depends on the joint involved and the treatment selected.
After the procedure
Recovery after joint pain treatment depends on the cause of pain and the type of treatment performed. Some people notice improvement quickly, while others improve more gradually over days or weeks.
- Mild soreness at the treatment site may occur
- A short period of activity modification may be advised
- Rehabilitation or physiotherapy may be recommended
- Follow up review may be arranged to assess progress
Your consultant will advise you on the safest return to normal activity and longer term management.
Benefits
- More accurate diagnosis of the source of joint pain
- Targeted treatment based on the underlying cause
- Potential improvement in mobility and daily comfort
- Support for return to work, sport, or activity
- Reduced flare ups through a more personalised treatment plan
Possible risks and side effects
All procedures and injections carry some risk, although serious complications are uncommon when treatment is performed by experienced clinicians.
- Temporary soreness or bruising
- Temporary increase in pain after treatment
- Bleeding, uncommon
- Infection, which is rare
- No meaningful improvement in some cases
Your consultant will explain the likely benefits, possible risks, and alternative options before treatment is carried out.
When to consider other options
If symptoms do not improve or if the diagnosis changes, your consultant may recommend further assessment, rehabilitation, medication review, or a different type of treatment. In some cases, a combined approach offers the best long term outcome.
Safety note
Please inform your consultant if you take blood thinning medication, have diabetes, bleeding disorders, allergies, active infection, are pregnant, or have had previous reactions to local anaesthetic or injection treatments. This helps ensure care is planned safely.
Book a consultation to explore the most suitable joint pain treatment options for your symptoms and mobility goals.
You can also explore our pain treatments, learn more about regenerative medicine services, or view related care within our sports injury treatments.