Overview
Joint injections are a targeted treatment used when joint pain persists despite physiotherapy, medication, or lifestyle adjustments. Joint pain can arise from arthritis, injury, overuse, inflammation, or degenerative changes affecting the joint surfaces.
Joint injections deliver treatment directly into the affected joint. This allows medication or regenerative therapy to act precisely at the source of symptoms, helping reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and improve movement.
Who this treatment helps
Joint injections may be considered for people with:
- Osteoarthritis affecting the knee, hip, shoulder, or other joints
- Persistent joint pain affecting walking or daily activities
- Joint inflammation, swelling, or stiffness
- Pain following injury, strain, or overuse
- Symptoms that have not improved with physiotherapy or medication
A consultant assessment is required to confirm the cause of symptoms and decide whether joint injections are appropriate.
What are joint injections
Joint injections involve placing medication or regenerative substances directly into the joint space using a fine needle. The aim is to treat inflammation, reduce pain signals, or support tissue recovery depending on the treatment used.
Common types of joint injections include:
- Steroid injections to reduce inflammation and calm painful joint irritation
- PRP therapy using platelets derived from your own blood to support tissue repair
- Stem cell therapy using cells derived from your own tissue in selected cases
Ultrasound or X ray guidance is often used to improve accuracy and ensure the injection is delivered precisely into the joint.
What to expect during the procedure
Joint injections are usually performed as a quick day case procedure.
- Consultant assessment and treatment planning
- Comfortable positioning of the joint
- Skin cleaning and local anaesthetic where appropriate
- Image guided needle placement into the joint
- Injection of medication or regenerative treatment
- Short monitoring period before discharge
The procedure typically takes only a short time, and most people return home the same day.
After the procedure
Mild soreness or stiffness around the joint may occur after the injection and usually settles within a few days.
- Temporary discomfort at the injection site may occur
- Activity modification may be advised for a short period
- Steroid injections may provide faster relief
- PRP and stem cell therapies may take several weeks to show benefit
- Physiotherapy may be recommended to support joint strength and mobility
Your consultant will explain expected recovery and when to gradually return to normal activities.
Benefits
- Targeted treatment delivered directly into the joint
- May reduce joint pain and stiffness
- Can improve movement and daily function
- Minimally invasive procedure
- May delay or reduce the need for surgery in selected cases
Possible risks and side effects
Joint injections are generally safe when performed by experienced clinicians, but all procedures carry some risk.
- Temporary increase in pain
- Local bruising or swelling
- Bleeding, uncommon
- Infection, which is rare
- Allergic reaction to medication
- No meaningful improvement in some cases
Your consultant will explain the expected benefits, possible risks, and alternative treatment options before proceeding.
When to consider other options
If joint injections do not provide sufficient relief, other treatments may be considered depending on the diagnosis. These may include genicular nerve block and ablation, acetabular nerve block and ablation, rehabilitation programmes, or surgical consultation in selected cases.
Safety note
Please inform your consultant if you take blood thinning medication, have allergies, diabetes, bleeding disorders, active infection, or other medical conditions. This helps ensure joint injections are planned safely and appropriately.
Arrange a consultation to discuss whether joint injections such as steroid, PRP, or stem cell therapy may help improve your joint pain and mobility.
You can also explore our joint pain treatments, view all pain treatments, or learn more about our pain management services.