Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH)
170 Tottenham Court Road London W1T 7HA
Ultrasound-guided injections
An injection of an anti-inflammatory drug, guided by ultrasound. Steroid injections into the joint can be an effective way to treat orthopaedic pain caused by a sports injury.
What are steroid injections for?
Corticosteroid injections are most often used to treat joint inflammation (synovitis), which may occur in the shoulder, knee and hip. This is often triggered by a sports injury. They may also be used to treat inflammation around tendons and ligaments.
The injection is usually a combination of anti-inflammatory steroid and local anaesthetic, with the needle being carefully guided by ultrasound. Sometimes the injection is used as a diagnostic tool, as well as a treatment.
Need to know
At the time of the injection, you'll have a scan to determine the exact point of injection – this will be marked on your skin. The skin will also be cleaned with antiseptic, to avoid infection.
If your joint is very swollen, the radiologist will remove excess fluid with a needle. Next, the radiologist will inject corticosteroid and local anaesthetic into your joint (or the soft tissue surrounding the joint or tendon) under the guidance of the ultrasound. The procedure will typically take around 10-15 minutes.
Your consultant will go through the procedure with you and answer any questions you might have. As this is a routine procedure, little preparation is needed.
As the local anaesthetic wears off, your joint may feel sore again. This can last for a few days after the injection, but you'll start to feel the benefits from around five days.
It may take up to a week or two to take full effect. Sometimes the injection may produced a 'steroid flare' which temporary may irritate the joint lining. In very rare cases, severe pain may indicate an infection. Your consultant will discuss any issues with you.
Our Ultrasound-guided injections locations
The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street London W1G 8BJ
The Portland Hospital
205-209 Great Portland Street London W1W 5AH
The Princess Grace Hospital Outpatients
30 Devonshire Street London W1G 6PU
The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place London W1U 5NY
The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road, London SW1W 8RH
The Shard Outpatients
The Shard, 32 St Thomas Street London SE1 9BS
London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street London SE1 2PR
The Wellington Hospital Outpatients
15 - 17 Lodge Road London NW8 7JA
Chelsea Outpatients - 280 King's Road
280 King's Road London SW3 5AW
The Wellington Hospital
8A Wellington Place London NW8 9LE
Golders Green Outpatients
Golders Green Outpatients and Diagnostic Centre London NW11 9PY
Patient stories
Yvette's story: From back pain to hip replacement surgery
Yvette (54) a journalist from Kent, started experiencing pain in her hip seven years ago in 2015. An ex-national gymnast who had been incredibly active and flexible her whole life, Yvette felt concerned about the growing discomfort impacting her quality of life, and so sought help from her GP.
A new hip and straight back into the spin of things
David’s gym video shows him repeatedly pushing up to 100kg on a single leg press – not particularly unusual for this keen cyclist, former competitive squash player and all-round fitness enthusiast. What is unusual is that 52-year-old David had hip surgery just 12 weeks earlier.
Michael's MAKO hip surgery to treat his arthritis
73 year-old Michael, an avid walker and charity worker, was diagnosed with arthritis in January 2021. After facing long waiting times and increasing pain that was becoming more frequent, he started to look elsewhere for treatment.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.