Cortisone, or Steroid (corticosteroid) injections are a well-established treatment used to reduce pain and stiffness caused by inflammation within joints.
Most commonly used in the knee, hip and shoulder, they can provide meaningful symptom relief and support movement, rehabilitation, and treatment planning: without surgery.
Corticosteroids, aka Steroid or Cortisone injections, involve placing a corticosteroid medication directly into an inflamed joint or surrounding soft tissue.
They are commonly used in conditions such as:
By treating inflammation at its source, steroid injections offer a targeted approach that avoids the systemic effects of oral anti-inflammatory medication.
Inflammation within a joint increases pressure, limits movement, and drives pain.
Corticosteroids work by suppressing inflammatory activity locally, helping to reduce swelling and irritation. This can result in:
Steroid injections are designed to control symptoms, not regenerate tissue or reverse arthritis. Their role is to calm inflammation and restore function.
The response to steroid injections varies between individuals and conditions.
For this reason, steroid injections are used selectively and are not intended as a repeated long-term treatment.
The knee is the most frequently treated joint with steroid injections. A knee steroid injection may be considered when inflammation is causing:
By settling inflammation within the joint, many patients experience improved comfort and mobility, making it easier to remain active or engage with physiotherapy.
Steroid injections may also be used in other joints — such as the hip or shoulder — where inflammation is a significant contributor to pain. In these cases, injections are typically performed with imaging guidance.
Steroid injections are performed as a quick outpatient procedure, usually completed within 15–30 minutes.
Advice on activity and rehabilitation will be provided to help maximise results.
| Steroid (Corticosteroid) | BMAC | PRP | Lipogems® | Arthrosamid® | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Primary Purpose |
Improve inflamation | Support tissue regeneration | Stimulate healing response | Provide biological cushioning | Improve joint cushioning |
| Best Suited For | Inflammatory pain and flare-ups | Moderate–severe OA, AVN | Mild–moderate OA, tendon injury | OA and soft tissue support | Symptomatic knee OA |
| Longevity | Variable; often months | Up to 4 years reported | 6–12 months | Up to 2 years |
Up to 5 years
|
| UK Starting Price | From £400 | From £3,900 |
From £750 |
From £3,900 | From £3,900 |
Steroid injections may be suitable if your pain is driven by joint inflammation, particularly when knee symptoms are limiting daily activity or making physiotherapy difficult.
They are often considered when you are seeking a non-surgical option to reduce pain and restore movement.
A consultation allows our specialist team to confirm the diagnosis, assess whether inflammation is the primary cause of symptoms, and recommend the most appropriate treatment; whether that is a steroid injection or an alternative approach.
Our clinicians specialise in joint preservation and minimally invasive treatments, using steroid injections selectively and guiding patients towards longer-term solutions when needed.
Steroid/cortisone injections are commonly used to treat pain caused by inflammation within joints or surrounding soft tissues. This includes osteoarthritis flare-ups, synovitis, bursitis, inflammatory tendon conditions, and other situations where swelling and irritation are the main source of symptoms.
The duration of relief varies. For patients receiving their first steroid injection, benefits often last several months. With repeated injections, the effect may be shorter. Your specialist will advise on what to expect based on your condition.
Steroid injections are designed to reduce inflammation and control symptoms. Regenerative treatments such as PRP, BMAC, or Lipogems® aim to support tissue healing and longer-term joint health. The most appropriate option depends on your diagnosis, symptom severity, and treatment goals.
Our starting price is from £400 per joint, depending on the joint treated and whether imaging guidance is required. Full pricing will be discussed during your consultation.
