Contact number: 020 7806 4060
Joint Injections for Pain Relief
Joint injections are a quick, outpatient procedure designed to deliver small doses of steroid medication directly into the joint space. These injections can provide relief from pain and inflammation associated with various conditions, such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and tendinitis.
The procedure involves the careful insertion of a needle into the joint space, where a mixture of anaesthetics and anti-inflammatory medication is administered. This combination works to reduce pain and swelling, offering patients a period of relief that can vary from a few weeks to several months. In some cases, injections of platelet rich plasma or hyaluronic acid are used.
Types of Joint Injections Available at Our London Clinic
At St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, our experienced medical team provides a range of injection therapy options to help treat swollen or painful joints and a variety of musculoskeletal conditions. Following your initial consultation, your orthopaedic surgeon will assess your symptoms and recommend the most appropriate treatment to reduce pain and improve movement.
Elbow Pain Injections
Elbow pain injections are often recommended for conditions such as tennis elbow or inflammation affecting the joint and surrounding soft tissue. Corticosteroid injections can help reduce inflammation and provide targeted pain relief. In some cases, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), prepared using your own blood, may be used to support healing. Local anaesthetic is typically administered to keep you comfortable during the procedure.
Hip Pain Injections
Hip pain injections can help manage arthritis and other causes of chronic pain affecting the joint. Treatment options may include corticosteroid injections to reduce pain and inflammation, or hyaluronic acid injections to improve joint lubrication. We frequently perform ultrasound guided joint injections to ensure precise delivery of medication into the joint.
Shoulder Pain Injections
Shoulder pain injections are commonly used for conditions such as frozen shoulder and other inflammatory problems. Ultrasound guided injections allow accurate treatment of both joint and soft tissue structures. The aim is to reduce pain, improve movement and support rehabilitation.
Wrist Pain Injections
Wrist pain injections may be advised for arthritis or tendon inflammation affecting painful joints. Soft tissue injections can help reduce inflammation and support recovery. Your consultant will discuss whether injection therapy is appropriate following assessment.
Foot Pain Injections
Foot pain injections are used to treat swollen or painful joints and soft tissue conditions in the foot. Ultrasound guided injections improve accuracy and can provide effective pain relief, helping you return to everyday activities more comfortably.
All procedures are carried out by our experienced medical team in London, in a calm clinical environment, with local anaesthetic used where needed. During your consultation, we will explain expected outcomes, consultant fees and answer any questions about your treatment plan.
Consultants who perform Joint Injections in London
How Much Do Joint Pain Injections Cost?
from £1,625*
The cost of private Joint Injections starts from £1,625* at St John & St Elizabeth Hospital.
*The price shown is an estimated guide to the hospital charges associated with your treatment from admission to discharge. Your final cost may vary depending on your individual clinical needs, the procedure performed, any additional treatments required, the type of implant/prosthesis used (where applicable), and the length of stay. This guide price excludes consultation fees, diagnostic tests, and professional fees charged separately by your surgeon, anaesthetist, and any other specialists involved in your care.
How to pay for your treatment
If you’re… paying for yourself
Did you know you don’t need private medical insurance to come to St John & St Elizabeth Hospital? As a self-pay patient, you can access safe, outstanding quality health care at times to suit you.
For scans and tests, as well as to see most consultants, you’ll still need to be referred by a medical professional like your GP, but as a self-pay patient, the process is more straightforward. You won’t need authorisation from an insurance provider, and you’ll have greater choice of consultant and appointment times.
If you’re… insured
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is approved by all major medical insurance companies. If you have a personal private health insurance policy, or your company provide it for you, you can use it to pay for your care from your initial consultation through to treatment, surgery and aftercare such as physiotherapy. Not all private health insurance plans cover the same things. It’s very important to check exactly what you are covered for with your insurance provider.
Appointment
You will have an initial consultation with a specialist experienced in joint care. This meeting is crucial for evaluating your condition and discussing the appropriateness of a joint injection as a treatment option for you.
Treatment Plan
During your appointment, you’ll explore your medical history, the benefits and risks associated with joint injections, and what you can expect in terms of recovery. This collaborative approach ensures that the decision to proceed with a joint injection is made jointly, aligning with your health goals and ensuring you’re fully informed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Steroid Injections for Pain Relief
St John & St Elizabeth Hospital is located in St John’s Wood (NW8), a well-connected area of North West London. We are conveniently accessible for patients from Hampstead (NW3), Kilburn (NW6), and beyond.
By Tube:
- St John’s Wood station (Jubilee Line) is just a 5-minute walk from the hospital.
- Finchley Road (NW3) and Kilburn stations (NW6) on the Jubilee Line provide excellent connections.
By Bus:
- Wellington Road: Routes 13, 46 and 113 stop near St John’s Wood Underground Station, just a short walk from the hospital.
- Circus Road: Routes 46 and 187 stop close to the hospital’s Circus Road entrance.
- Abbey Road: Routes 139 and 189 stop near the junction where Grove End Road becomes Abbey Road, providing easy access.
Major Roads:
If you’re travelling from NW3 or NW6, major routes such as Finchley Road or Kilburn High Road offer a direct approach to the hospital.
Our hospital ensures convenient access for patients across London, particularly those in NW8, NW3, and NW6 postcodes.
Preparing for your joint injection involves a detailed consultation with one of our specialists. During this appointment, you’ll discuss your symptoms, medical history, and any medications you’re taking, particularly blood thinners or those affecting bleeding. It’s also essential to inform your doctor about any allergies, especially to corticosteroids or local anaesthetics, to ensure the safest treatment plan.
At St John & St Elizabeth Hospital, we offer a range of joint pain injections designed to reduce inflammation, relieve pain and improve mobility. Following a detailed assessment, your consultant will recommend the most appropriate injection based on your symptoms and diagnosis.
We provide:
- Elbow pain injections – commonly used to treat conditions such as tennis elbow, arthritis or joint inflammation.
- Hip pain injections – suitable for managing arthritis, bursitis and other causes of persistent hip pain.
- Shoulder pain injections – often recommended for frozen shoulder, rotator cuff inflammation and joint stiffness.
- Wrist pain injections – used to treat arthritis, tendon irritation and repetitive strain injuries affecting the wrist joint.
- Foot pain injections – helpful for inflammatory or degenerative conditions affecting the joints and soft tissues of the foot.
All injections are delivered by experienced clinicians in a calm clinical setting, with a focus on safe, effective treatment tailored to your needs.
On the day of your procedure, you’ll be welcomed by our staff and taken to a private treatment room. The area around the joint will be cleaned to prevent infection, and a local anaesthetic may be applied to minimise discomfort. Using precise, guided techniques, your specialist will inject medication — typically a corticosteroid and a local anaesthetic — into the joint space. This reduces inflammation and provides immediate pain relief. The process is quick, usually taking around 20 minutes.
You can resume daily activities the same day but should rest and avoid strenuous activities, including sports, for 3-5 days. It’s normal to experience some pain as the anaesthetic wears off, and flare-ups of pain may occur within the first 48-72 hours. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help, but contact your doctor if discomfort persists beyond this time.
While joint injections are generally safe, potential risks include infection, post-procedure pain, and temporary skin discolouration. Our team takes every precaution to minimise these risks and is available to address any concerns.
Yes, you can drive yourself home after your joint injection, as there are no restrictions preventing you from doing so.
Medically reviewed by Mr Abbas Rashid - BSc(Hons) MBBS FRCS(Tr&Orth) on 26/04/2024