If you are due to have a steroid injection at Consortium clinic then the following information will be useful reading for you.
It is important that you are aware of both the benefits and risks associated with having a steroid injection.
If you have an injection with us then you will be provided with your own printed copy of this blog to read in the clinic and take home with you. Should you have any questions that we don't cover here, then feel free to contact us. Clare manages the clinics and can be contacted by emailing us at enquiries@consortiumphysio.co.uk or by ringing our answer phone only enquiries line 01482 847705. Please leave a message and we will return your call asap.
What conditions do we inject?
Although it is possible to have a variety of injections for various conditions, here at Consortium we only consider injection for a select group of conditions. These include:
- Osteoarthritic joints like knees, shoulders, big toes etc
- Greater Trochanteric Pain / Trochanteric Bursitis
- Sub acromial pain syndrome / shoulder pain / frozen shoulder / shoulder arthritis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
What is a corticosteroid?
Corticosteroid is anti-inflammatory medicine that can relieve swelling, stiffness and pain.
Why have an injection?
Quite simply, a injection will help reduce your pain and settle inflammation. In some rare cares, taking away your pain may be enough to allow you to return to your normal activities and naturally recondition your body and potentially solve your issue without any further input being needed. Unfortunately this is a rare occurrence, the majority of injections aim to provide a window of opportunity where we can rehabilitate patients without their pain preventing them from progressing. This often allows you to get better more quickly.
Why injection? Why not take anti-inflammatory pills?
Oral anti-inflammatories will spread around your whole body, therefore a smaller dose of the medication will reach the area of your pathology. The advantage of an injection is that the majority of the medication will be placed directly where it is needed. This makes for a far more efficient process.
Reasons not to inject
We would not consider injecting you if you are unwell on that particular day, have an active or suspected infection, are under 18 yrs old, pregnant or have known allergies to steroid or local anesthetic.
What about covid-19?
Since the onset of the covid-19 pandemic we have had to consider steroid injections much more carefully. This is because the steroid can potentially suppress your immune system and this could leave you more vulnerable to catching covid-19 and having a higher severity of illness. However, this effect is likely to small and short lasting. For most patients this is manageable risk but if you are a high risk patient already suffering with immunosupression then we will need to consider this carefully and in some cases we will choose not to inject.
What are the possible side effects?
· Flushing of the face for a few hours
· Small area of fat loss or a change in colour of the skin around the injection site
· Slight vaginal bleeding
· Diabetic patients may notice a temporary increase in blood sugar levels
· If you are taking blood thinning drugs there may be some temporary bruising
· Infection from injection is extremely rare, however if the area becomes hot, swollen and painful for more than 24 hours you should contact your physiotherapist or doctor immediately
· Post injection pain is uncommon but it is possible that your symptoms may briefly worsen for a few hours after the injection. This does not affect the injection from working as normal
· An allergic reaction to either local anaesthetic or steroid is an extremely rare side effect. You will be asked to wait 30 minutes after the injection to ensure there is no allergic reaction to the drug. Should a reaction occur, your physiotherapist is trained to manage this
How is the iNjection given?
The skin is cleaned thoroughly with an antiseptic wipe as the injection is strictly sterile. The injecting physiotherapist or orthopaedic consultant will insert a fine needle where there is access to the injured tissues. In certain injections the solution will be injected all in one go, in other types of injection the solution will be spread around the problem area in a technique we call peppering. The type of injection you will have will depend on your condition. This will be explained to you beforehand. After the procedure a small dressing is then placed on the skin over the site of the injection.
Is the injection painful?
Any procedure using needles will have some associated discomfort, however your physiotherapist has had intensive training in the techniques used to maximise comfort throughout.
How fast does the injection work?
The steroid usually starts to work within 24 - 48 hours but can continue to be absorbed into the tissues for 3-4 weeks.
What should I do after the injection?
It is advisable to avoid any strenuous or repetitive activity using the part of your body where you received the injection for 1-2 weeks. You can continue the majority of your daily activities during this period. If you have any doubts then do not worry as this will be discussed in detail with you prior to the injection being given.
When will I be seen again?
Following the injection it is likely that you will be advised to continue with physiotherapy. Once the injection has reduced the discomfort, the physiotherapist can address the underlying causes of the problem to provide a longer term solution.
How long does the injection work for?
This varies from person to person and for the condition that is being treated.
If you have been offered an injection, you will be given both verbal and written information and will have plenty of time to ask questions. You will also be asked to sign a consent form to show you have received enough information and that you have understood it. The information you receive will explain your condition, the benefits and risks of injection, and the alternative options available to you.
If after your injection you have any concerns please contact our administrator Clare who will immediately pass a message onto one of the Physiotherapists to contact you back. Our email and enquiries line is monitored on weekdays between 09.30 and 17:00. Outside of these hours you should seek advice from your GP or attend Accident and Emergency if needed.
Prices vary depending on individual circumstances as you may/may not need an assessment to determine your eligibility. This can depend on whether you are a new patient to the clinic or whether you are already under our care and this is a treatment we have recommended.