About steroid injections

Steroid injections treat painful conditions affecting the joints and soft tissues, such as bursitis, tennis elbow, arthritis-related inflammation, and certain nerve issues like carpal tunnel syndrome. They provide prolonged relief from inflammatory pain, particularly when administered under the guidance of a healthcare provider such as a physiotherapist, osteopath, podiatrist, or hand therapist.

Steroid injections are also known as cortisone injections, Kenacort injections, and corticosteroid injections. This page describes low-dose injections given up to a few times per year.

Steroid injections are generally very safe and well-tolerated. Steroid injections are safe during pregnancy and while breastfeeding.

Steroid appointments are not directly bookable online; however, you may request one. Patients or referrers can phone 0279064884 or email support@soundexperience.co.nz to make an appointment. Please contact us if you have further questions about steroid injections.

 

How to prepare for your steroid injection appointment

  • If you are taking any medication, bring that information with you.

  • If you are taking pain relief, please continue to do so, as the steroid injection can take 2-4 days to begin working.

  • If you are not taking pain relief, take Panadol (or seek your doctor's advice) before coming in to help with discomfort after the local anaesthetic wears off. 

  • Wear loose-fitting clothing for easy access to the injury site.

  • Read the Steroid Information below.

What to expect during your steroid injection appointment

How do they work?

Steroid Injections work by delivering a powerful anti-inflammatory directly to the painful area. The steroid may take a few days to become effective but may give sustained relief. Usually, only one injection is required, but sometimes several are required over a number of months to relieve the condition.

What will happen?

We will discuss the procedure and outcomes and allow you to ask questions; your consent will be required. The doctor will clean and scan the affected area before performing the injection.

What will you feel?

The very small needle is carefully guided into the area of inflammation. Local anaesthetic is mixed with the steroid, and the area becomes numb after the injection.

What to expect after your steroid injection appointment

The local anaesthetic wears off within a few hours, and the injected area may be sorer for 24 to 48 hours. Rest, hot or cold compresses, and paracetamol can help relieve this pain. While waiting for the steroid to take effect, your doctor may prescribe some oral pain relief or anti-inflammatory medication. Avoid strenuous activity after the procedure, but as a guideline, if an activity was not painful before the procedure, it is probably safe to continue after the injection.

Elderly patients and others receiving injections in their hands, elbows and feet may require a driver to transport them home afterwards.

If you are not already seeing a physiotherapist, osteopath, podiatrist or hand therapist, a rehabilitation programme commencing a week after the injection will enhance the long-term benefit from the injection.

Potential side effects of your steroid injection

Minor side effects 

Although uncommon, you may experience minor reactions to the injection, such as:

  • Bruising or bleeding at the site of injection is generally minor.

  • People with diabetes may get a transient rise in blood sugar levels and must closely monitor their blood sugar levels over the next few days.

  • Superficial injections may rarely result in thinning or pallor of the skin or local fat loss. This is not painful and mostly returns to normal after a few months.

  • The injection can cause hot flushes, lasting up to a day or two.

More serious side effects

These are all very unlikely but do occasionally occur. If you have concerns about an adverse reaction to the injection, please discuss them with your GP.

  • Infection: Although infection is very uncommon, it may present as pain, heat, redness, or swelling. If you feel unwell, you should see your GP immediately.

  • Cartilage and tendon damage: Frequent injections into weight-bearing joints can damage cartilage. However, because of concerns that the medication may weaken large tendons, such as the Achilles tendon, injections are rarely given to these tendons.

  • Effects on the rest of the body: The injections' steroids are absorbed over time and are a low dose compared with those taken as pills for medical problems, and side effects are highly unlikely with a single or even a few injections.

  • Other do’s and don’ts after an injection:
    Do keep taking all usual medications unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
    Do get immunised as usual.
    You don’t need to alter your alcohol intake, up or down.