About steroid injections

Steroid injections treat painful conditions affecting the joints and soft tissues, such as bursitis, 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 administered 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 call 0279064884 or email support@soundexperience.co.nz to schedule an appointment. Please get in touch with us if you have further questions about steroid injections.

Request a steroid appointment

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 it can provide lasting relief. Usually, only one injection is needed, but sometimes several are required over several months to alleviate the condition.

What will happen?

We will discuss the procedure and expected outcomes, and give you the opportunity to ask questions; your consent will be necessary. The doctor will clean and scan the affected area before administering 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 sore 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 oral pain relief or anti-inflammatory medication. Avoid strenuous activity after the procedure. As a guideline, if an activity was not painful before, it is probably safe to continue afterwards.

Elderly patients and others receiving injections in their hands, elbows, and feet may need someone to drive them home afterwards.

If you are not already seeing a physio, osteopath, podiatrist, or hand therapist, starting a rehabilitation program a week after the injection will improve its long-term benefits.

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 experience a transient rise in blood sugar levels and need to monitor their blood sugar levels closely over the following days.

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

  • The injection might cause hot flushes that can last for a day or two.

More serious side effects

These are all very unlikely but do happen occasionally. If you have concerns about an adverse reaction to the injection, please talk to 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. Due to concerns that the medication may weaken large tendons, such as the Achilles, injections are rarely administered to these tendons.

  • Effects on the rest of the body: The steroids from the injection are absorbed gradually and are at a low dose compared with those taken as pills for medical conditions. Side effects are very 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 advises you otherwise.
    Do get immunised as usual.
    You don’t need to alter your alcohol intake, up or down.