Cortisone Injections for Osteoarthritis in South London
Cortisone injections for osteoarthritis at our clinic
We are a leading cortisone injection clinic offering steroid injections for all osteoarthritis pain related conditions such as knee or hip. Steroid injections can bring significant relief from musculoskeletal pain and bring you much-needed respite from your condition.
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We offer private injections at our South London clinic and also offer home visits in the South London area. A free telephone consultation is available to understand whether injections will be helpful and appropriate in your particular case, and your appointment also includes a diagnostic ultrasound consultation to ensure your injection will be safe and give you maximum benefit.
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Booking is quick and easy, please see our book appointment page for more details.
What is Osteoarthritis ?
Osteoarthritis (OA) is a form of arthritis (joint inflammation) characterized by the gradual degeneration of the cartilage, the smooth and protective tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint. Over time, the bones in the joint may undergo changes, such as the formation of bone spurs (osteophytes) in response to the stress caused by the loss of cartilage. While osteoarthritis is not primarily an inflammatory condition like rheumatoid arthritis, inflammation may occur as a secondary response to cartilage damage leading to joint pain, stiffness, and reduced range of motion. These symptoms often worsen with activity and improve with rest. Weight-bearing joints such as the knees, hips, and spine are commonly affected, but osteoarthritis can occur in any joint.
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Several factors contribute to the development of osteoarthritis, including:
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Aging: The risk of osteoarthritis increases with age.
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Joint Overuse or Injury: Previous joint injuries or repetitive stress on a joint can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis.
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Genetics: There is a genetic component to osteoarthritis, and it may run in families.
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Obesity: Excess body weight can increase the risk of osteoarthritis, particularly in weight-bearing joints.
For more resources on Osteoarthritis consult the reference website, Versus Arthritis.
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In order to ensure injection therapy is the right course of action in your particular case, we offer a free virtual consultation to get a quick picture of your health and the condition you are experiencing, and advise on whether steroid injections are a good course of action for you. At your appointment we will also carry out a full ultrasound-led diagnosis and assessment to ensure you are receiving the most appropriate treatment and best possible care.
What our patients say
How do cortisone injections help with osteoarthritis?
Cortisone injections rapidly reduce swelling and pain, bringing much-needed relief and increased mobility. If you have found your work or other daily activities such as family or general activity being hindered by your pain, a steroid injection can allow you the freedom to get back to work and normal life.
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Pain is not to be underestimated and when it becomes bad it can become debilitating and lead to depression. A reduction in mobility due to knee pain can also lead to inactivity which can cause further problems such as postural and health issues, leading to even further inactivity, known as the chronic pain cycle. It is crucial to seek help when you are in pain and not simply try to live with it, as when left unchecked pain can cause gradual deterioration of both mental and physical health.
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The break from pain and other symptoms brought by steroid injections will also allow you to take other actions to proactively combat your problem. In particular, you will be able to follow a physiotherapy-prescribed exercise programme to deal with your condition at the root by building flexibility and strength in the knee. It is important you do any exercises your physiotherapist gives you to avoid your problem worsening in the future and potentially leading to more problems further down the line.
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All our treatments include a written report and guidance on moving forward with treating your problem following your injection, so that you can use the opportunity the injection gives to set yourself on a path to better health. We also include a personalised physiotherapy exercise plan wherever appropriate.
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For more information about cortisone injections and frequently asked questions, see our cortisone injections page.
What joints with osteoarthritis do you typically treat with injections?
Whilst there is no definitive list, joints that we often see as candidates for injection therapy include knee, hip, wrist and fingers (especially the base of the thumbs) or lumbar spine.
In all cases, a consultation with a medical professional and sometime an ultrasound-led diagnosis is crucial in choosing the right course of treatment for your particular case.
Are cortisone injections a long-term solution for osteoarthritis?
Corticosteroids have a short term effect (around 3 months) but a common belief is that cortisone injections do not address the underlying causes of your pain and will only stop the symptoms.
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First of all, your pain has a massive impact on your daily life and any relief, even temporary, can help significantly with your sleep, work or family activities, and as a result, improve your general well being and mental health. Fortunately, simple pathologies, even when causing severe pain, tend to improve overtime and by the time the steroid has stopped working, we expect that your body has healed by itself and the pain won't return.
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Secondly, the pain free period allowed by steroid injections (up to 3-6 months on average and sometime over 1 year) is a window that will be used to begin further treatment such as a prescribed exercise program or sessions of physiotherapy, in order to address other causative factors for your problems.
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In some cases steroid injections can also be a permanent solution by stopping chronic inflammation or disrupting your pain signal. More information about pain can be found on our blog.
At your virtual consultation and first appointment, your clinician will ask questions and assess you to diagnose your problem and explain to you the options available. This will help you to understand how you can use the respite from pain which a corticosteroid injection provides, to work directly on your problem and provide you with a personalized exercise plan to avoid reliance on injections in the future.
Your clinician
All our injection treatments are carried out by our experienced physiotherapist and injection clinician, Maxence Legout. Max has over 15 years experience and holds a senior position in the NHS, where he carries out over 2000 ultrasound-guided injection & procedures every year.
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For more information please see our clinician page, or book a free online or telephone consultation to speak to Max directly.
What other treatments are available for osteoarthritis?
Management of osteoarthritis involves a combination of lifestyle modifications, pain management, and, in some cases, surgical interventions. For acute flare up episodes, relative rest, ice and painkilling treatments like over-the-counter analgesic pills or gels can be sufficient. Braces and supports can also be helpful adjuncts and maintaining a healthy weight can reduce stress on weight-bearing joints. Low-impact exercises are recommended to improve joint flexibility and strengthen the muscles around the affected joint are all also important as it modulates pain and promote healing with an exercise induced response in collagen turnover, blood flow and anti-inflammatory activity. Your physiotherapist will guide you on what activities you should do or should avoid at each stage of your recovery.
If conservative management or steroid injection do not help, we also offer hyaluronic acid injections. For severe pain or when symptoms persist, surgical intervention such as joint replacement might be recommended.
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If you are suffering from osteoarthritis, a diagnosis from a medical professional is an essential first step in understanding your problem and decide what is the right course of treatment for you.
MEDICAL REVIEW - The medical information on this page has been reviewed for accuracy by Maxence Legout, MSc, Physiotherapist.