In this article, you will find out everything you need to know about steroid injections and the most effective alternatives, including an advanced treatment called Prolotherapy.
Steroid shots use corticosteroid medicines that offer potent anti-inflammatory effects for a range of musculoskeletal and inflammatory conditions (e.g., arthritis, bursitis, tendon disorders). Ultrasound-guided injections are preferred for accuracy and safety, especially near sensitive structures (nerves, vessels), while “blind” (unguided) injections are increasingly discouraged in modern practice for most indications due to lower precision.
Table of Contents
- Commonly Used Steroid Shots
- Private UK Pricing: Ultrasound-Guided Steroid Injections
- When Steroid Injections Are Used
- Soft-Tissue Conditions Helped by Steroid Injections
- Why Ultrasound Guidance Matters
- Potential Side Effects & Safety
- Steroid Shots at UK Private Clinics: What to Expect
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Case Study
- Prolotherapy (Alternative Treatment)
- Contact ProHealth Clinic
- Author Bio
- References
Commonly Used Steroid Shots
Steroid joint injections vary by medicine and injection site. Intra-articular injections go into a joint; epidural injections target the spine; intramuscular injections go into muscle. Chemically, commonly used agents are glucocorticoids (e.g., triamcinolone, methylprednisolone) rather than mineralocorticoids. Clinical guidance supports targeted use for inflammatory and degenerative joint conditions, tendinopathies, and other localized pain sources (1), (2).
Price of Administering Ultrasound-Guided Steroid Injections
Private pricing varies by joint/region, medication, and whether adjunct therapies are added. Below are typical figures seen across UK clinics (guide, not a quote):
Cortisone Injection
Typical clinic fee: £250. With advanced procedures or more complex guidance, you might see an added fee (e.g., +£30), totalling around £280.
Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Shots
HA is often paired with steroids to extend symptom relief. Starting from £250 per joint; branded products often priced around £290 (e.g., Ostenil Plus) to £350 (e.g., Durolane).
Hyaluronic Acid + Steroid Combination
Pre-mixed combination products can reduce multiple appointment costs. Expect £340–£400 per shot (e.g., Cingal ~£400).
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) Shots
PRP may be used with or without steroids. Single-shot “all-inclusive” pricing is commonly quoted around £450. Courses (often three injections) are sometimes packaged (e.g., ~£1,200–£1,250). Pricing policies vary by clinic and region, especially for spinal injections, which can exceed £1,000 depending on facility and imaging costs (3).
Note: Combined HA + steroid guided injections are also available, with standard procedures typically from £340 per shot. Always confirm an itemised quote (consultation, imaging, medicines, follow-up) before booking.
Use of Cortisone Injections
Steroid injections can relieve pain and improve function across a range of musculoskeletal problems, especially when inflammation is a key driver. Evidence supports their use in osteoarthritis flares, bursitis, tenosynovitis, and certain radicular (nerve root) pain states. For hip/knee OA, intra-articular corticosteroids can provide short-term pain relief for some patients (5).
Orthopaedic Problems
In osteoarthritis or inflammatory arthropathies (e.g., rheumatoid arthritis), clinicians may consider steroids when exercise therapy and simple analgesia are insufficient. In frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), image-guided injections—including hydrodistension—can reduce pain and improve range of motion during painful phases, while physiotherapy remains central to recovery. Care pathways generally begin conservatively (exercise, education, analgesia) before escalation to injections or surgery in line with NHS advice.
Health Conditions Related to Soft Tissue Structures
Tendinopathies (e.g., tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, plantar fasciitis, trigger finger) may respond to carefully selected, image-guided steroid injections, alongside load management and progressive rehab. For calcific tendinitis, barbotage (ultrasound-guided needling/saline lavage) can be considered in selected cases. Clinicians balance short-term pain relief from steroids with recurrence risk and the importance of rehabilitation.
Ultrasound-Guided Injections Administration
Not all injections are delivered by the same professional; complex orthopaedic cases are often handled by clinicians with musculoskeletal ultrasound expertise. Ultrasound allows precise delivery to the joint, bursa, or tendon sheath while avoiding critical structures. This can improve accuracy and patient comfort compared with landmark-guided (“blind”) techniques (6).
Side Effects of Steroid Shots
Like all procedures, steroid injections carry risks. Common, usually short-lived effects include post-injection flare, facial flushing, transient blood sugar elevation (especially in diabetes), and temporary pain increase. More serious risks—though uncommon—include infection, tendon weakening/rupture (particularly with intratendinous injection), skin depigmentation or atrophy, bleeding, and very rarely neurovascular injury. Dose spacing is important: clinicians typically limit frequency (e.g., at least 3 months between injections into the same joint) to reduce adverse effects, aligned with NHS guidance and classic safety literature (7).
NHS pain management advice generally begins with paracetamol, then NSAIDs as appropriate, reserving injections for specific indications and after conservative care has been optimised: NHS: Corticosteroid injections.
Steroid shots at the UK private clinics
Many UK private clinics operate a “one-stop” model: assessment, diagnostic ultrasound, and (if appropriate) an ultrasound-guided injection in a single visit. This reduces multiple appointments and the hand-offs across several providers. Efficient online screening/consent can also streamline your visit. Established centres perform large volumes of image-guided procedures each year, enabling transparent, competitive pricing and consistent processes.
Tip: Ask whether your quoted fee includes the consultation, ultrasound, medicines (type and dose), the injection itself, and follow-up—so there are no surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my GP give me a steroid shot?
Some GPs do offer injections; many patients are referred to clinicians with musculoskeletal ultrasound expertise. Injections must be sterile and properly targeted to reduce risks (NHS principle: corticosteroid injections).
What is the average cost of an epidural steroid shot?
Costs vary widely by setting and imaging needs. Non-NHS private fees often exceed those for peripheral joints. Always request a full quote; spinal injections can run into four figures depending on theatre, imaging, and anaesthetics.
Can I get a cortisone shot without a referral?
Many private providers accept self-referrals. That said, sharing your GP record and imaging helps safety and continuity of care.
Where is the most painful place to get a cortisone shot?
Pain perception varies, but injections in the palms or soles can feel sharper due to dense sensory innervation. Topical/local anaesthetic and slow, ultrasound-guided technique help improve comfort.
How much do spinal steroid injections cost privately?
Expect £1,100–£2,290+ depending on region, clinic type, and whether sedation/imaging is required. Obtain itemised costs including consultation and follow-up.
What is the success rate of epidural steroid shots?
Success rates vary with diagnosis, technique, and patient factors; studies often report meaningful short-term relief in roughly half to most appropriately selected patients, with diminishing effect over time (see references).
How do steroid joint shots work?
Injected glucocorticoids reduce local inflammation by modulating immune pathways, which can relieve swelling, heat, and pain and improve joint movement.
When will I feel better?
Some people improve within hours; others need several days. Many patients need only one injection; others might benefit from a spaced series, typically at least 3 months apart in the same joint (per common NHS practice).
Case Study
Background: A 58-year-old runner with chronic knee osteoarthritis pain unresponsive to NSAIDs and physiotherapy.
Intervention: Single ultrasound-guided intra-articular corticosteroid injection, plus a structured rehab programme.
Outcome: Pain reduced from 7/10 to 3/10 within 1 week; walking tolerance improved from 10 to 40 minutes by week 4. At 12 weeks, the patient transitioned to a long-term strengthening plan.
Takeaway: In appropriate cases, image-guided injections can create a “window” for rehabilitation to restore function. Benefits are typically time-limited; ongoing exercise and weight management are vital.
Prolotherapy
Prolotherapy is another alternative to cortisone injections. It involves injecting a regenerative solution that stimulates the body to heal the affected area. This can help ease pain.
In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat pain.
Published research has proven its pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory and regenerative benefits.
Prolotherapy involves injecting a natural regenerative solution with tiny needles. This has been shown to stimulate the production of collagen cells, the small cells needed to help with pain.
As prolotherapy is helping to treat the root cause of pain, it is deemed to be a permanent fix, preventing the symptoms from returning.
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Author Bio
Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating pain, with patients travelling to see him from across the UK, Europe, and the Middle East.
With over 12 years of clinical experience, Oliver is dedicated to helping patients understand their symptoms associated with pain and providing effective treatment options to alleviate them.
He qualified in Prolozone Therapy and Prolotherapy in America with the American Academy of Ozonotherapy. He continued on to complete further qualifications at the Royal Society of Medicine, Charing Cross Hospital in London, Keele University’s Anatomy & Surgical Training Centre, and the medical department of Heidelberg University in Germany.
Over the years he has had the privilege of treating many elite-level athletes, including both Olympic and Commonwealth medallists.
Linkedin profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliver-eaton-4338225b/
References
- Buchbinder, R. et al. Cochrane Library: Corticosteroid injections for osteoarthritis and musculoskeletal conditions. Cochrane Review (1)
- Grillet, B., & Dequeker, J. (1990). Intra-Articular Steroid Injection: Risk–Benefit Assessment. Drug Safety 5(3):205–211. Journal link (2)
- Gottlieb, N.L. (1980). Complications of Local Corticosteroid Injections. JAMA 243(15):1547. Journal link (3)
- Liu, J. et al. (2021). Far-lateral approach for lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection. Pain Practice 21(8):978–983. Journal link (4)
- Lambert, R.G.W. et al. (2007). Steroid injection for hip OA: RCT. Arthritis & Rheumatism 56(7):2278–2287. Journal link (5)
- Micu, M.C. et al. (2010). Hip OA steroid injection efficacy with ultrasound guidance. Rheumatology 49(8):1490–1494. Journal link (6)
- Cicala, R.S. et al. (1989). Side effects of cervical epidural steroid injections. J Pain Symptom Manage 4(2):64–66. Journal link (7)
- NHS. Corticosteroid injections – indications, risks, spacing and aftercare. NHS guidance