Pain Relief That Supports Recovery
A shoulder that won’t let you reach above your head. A knee that swells every time you try to get back into running. Pain like this doesn’t always call for surgery, and it doesn’t have to be something you simply learn to live with either; sometimes it just needs the right injection to settle things down long enough for real recovery to begin.
Steroid injections are one part of a wider injection therapy service at our clinic, alongside hyaluronic acid injections, Arthrosamid and diagnostic ultrasound scanning, all delivered from the same clinic as your physiotherapy. Rather than sending you elsewhere for diagnosis or treatment, The Atrium brings assessment, injection and rehabilitation together, so your recovery doesn’t stall while you wait for referrals between different providers.
Our Reading clinic has been treating joint and soft tissue pain since 2014, and injection therapy is delivered by advanced practice physiotherapists, a level of training beyond standard physiotherapy. The goal isn’t just to get you out of pain for a few weeks; it’s to use that window of relief to rebuild strength and movement, so the problem is far less likely to come back.
Conditions We Treat With Steroid Injections
We use steroid injections to settle inflammation across a wide range of joints and soft tissue structures, including:
- Knees and hips: knee osteoarthritis, hip osteoarthritis, bursitis
- Shoulders: shoulder impingement and rotator cuff pain, frozen shoulder
- Elbows, wrists and hands: tennis elbow and golfer’s elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, thumb and finger arthritis, trigger finger
- Elsewhere: ITB syndrome and tendinopathy that hasn’t settled with physiotherapy alone
If you’re not sure whether your condition is suitable, our clinicians will confirm this during your assessment rather than from a symptom description alone.
What Happens During Your Injection
A steroid injection combines a corticosteroid with a local anaesthetic, injected directly into the joint, tendon sheath or surrounding tissue causing your symptoms. Unlike oral anti-inflammatories, which work throughout the whole body, the medication is placed exactly where it’s needed, calming the swelling and irritation at the source.
Because every injection at our clinic is guided by live ultrasound imaging, your physiotherapist can see the needle and the target structure clearly throughout the procedure. This precision reduces discomfort, avoids nearby nerves and blood vessels, and gives the medication the best chance of reaching the right spot the first time.
Injection Frequency and Aftercare
To protect the joint, we limit the injections to a maximum of three per joint in any 12-month period, spaced at least three months apart. Your clinician will track this as part of your ongoing treatment plan if you need more than one.
Most patients are back to normal daily activity within 24 to 48 hours, though we’d advise avoiding strenuous exercise on the day itself. No GP referral is needed, appointments run for 45 to 60 minutes, and the local anaesthetic will keep the area numb for the first one to two hours afterwards.
Book Your Assessment
Ongoing joint pain can hold you back from training, work and everyday activity, especially once it stops responding to rest or anti-inflammatories. A steroid injection at our clinic is never given without a proper assessment first, so you’ll know exactly why it’s being recommended and what to expect afterwards.
With no GP referral required, getting started is straightforward. Book your assessment at Core Body Clinic today
How many steroid injections can I have in the same joint?
We recommend no more than three steroid injections per joint in a 12-month period, with at least three months between each one. This spacing protects the surrounding cartilage and soft tissue while still giving the joint enough anti-inflammatory benefit to support your rehabilitation.
Does the injection hurt?
Most patients describe a brief sting or pressure rather than significant pain, and the area is numbed with local anaesthetic at the same time as the steroid is injected. Ultrasound guidance also means your physiotherapist can place the needle precisely, which reduces unnecessary probing and keeps discomfort to a minimum.
How quickly will I feel the effects?
Some patients notice an improvement within a few days, though it can take up to two to three weeks for the full anti-inflammatory effect to develop. Acute, short-lived inflammation often responds fastest, while longstanding or degenerative conditions may take a little longer to settle.
What are the risks or side effects of a steroid injection?
Steroid injections are generally very safe when performed under ultrasound guidance, with the most common effects being short-term soreness at the injection site or a brief flare in symptoms for a day or two. Your physiotherapist will talk you through less common risks, such as skin changes or a short-term rise in blood sugar for patients with diabetes, before your appointment.
How much does a steroid injection cost?
Pricing depends on the joint being treated and whether an ultrasound scan is needed alongside the injection, so costs are confirmed at your assessment. Full current pricing is available on our price list, and we accept most major private medical insurance providers as well as self-funding patients.