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.
How Much Does A Steroid Injection Cost Privately, UK
Steroid shots are in reality based on corticosteroid medicines which are used as active anti-inflammatory action when it comes to fighting off a severe infection and intense health condition. Corticosteroid-guide injections (1) have been used for years for the treatment of arthritic joints , joint pain, and other inflammatory conditions like covid-19, bursitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. At some clinics, Blind injections, also known as unguided injections, are still practiced but are not encouraged by Clinics. The ultrasound-guided Injections must be acceptable, safe and, must relieve pain.
Commonly Used Steroid Shots
Steroid joint injections vary depending upon the type of steroid medicines in use and the site of the shot. If the steroid medication is administered as a joint shot, it is called an intra-articular injection. (2) If it is placed in the spine or muscles, it is called an epidural shot or an intramuscular injection respectively. The intravenous shot is however the most common form of the route of administration. Chemically, steroid joint injections will be either mineralocorticoids, glucocorticoids, or cortisone injections.
Price of Administering ultrasound-guided Steroid Injections
There are variable prices of cortisone shots available in the UK when it comes to estimating cortisone injection cost. The main goal of these ultrasound-guided injections is anti-inflammatory action and pain relief.
Cortisone Injection
In the UK, clinics provide cortisone injections at a cost of £250. In case of administering these shots with advanced procedures, you might have to pay £30 extra, making your total charges equal to £280.
Hyaluronic Acid shots
Also, it is a common practice to use HA with corticosteroid shots. The patients prefer administrating this shot after a steroid joint injection so that the effect of the steroidal drug in the body can be prolonged for a duration of four to eight weeks. Hyaluronic acid injections start from 250£ per joint. A HA shot is available under the brand names Ostenil Plus and Durolane which cost £290 and £350 respectively.
Hyaluronic Acid and Steroidal Combination Products
A combination of both these products is also utilized by clinicians in order to minimize the separate costs of the two drugs. These products range from £340 to £400 for each shot. An example of such a product is the pre-mixed combination called Cingal which costs £400.
PRP Shots
Platelet Rich Plasma or PRP shots are very commonly administered together with corticosteroids so that the therapeutic effect can be observed for a longer time. It is also known for decreasing the rate of complications (3) in patients who are administered steroids. The all-inclusive price of a PRP combination of steroids costs £450 for each shot without other hidden costs. Because this combination is usually administered in a three-dose course, its all-inclusive price for a single injection could be £1200 privately and it will cost 1250£ for a standard course of three injections. On the other hand, other clinics offer ultrasound-guided injection for 60o to 1200£. A patient can receive the shot at a nearby clinic. Some clinics even have four clinics based conveniently, a patient can choose the nearby clinic and get the shot. Some even offer, to share your story, choose your platform.
A combined injection of HA and steroid guided injections are also available and standard injection procedures pricing begins from £340 per shot.
Alternatives to cortisone injections
PRP, Hyaluronic acid, local anaesthetic, and needling are very feasible alternatives to avoid the complications and side effects caused by the steroidal shot. Also buying these shots privately in the UK is not a possibility for a common man since it is not included in health insurance. So, using the above option is far better than relying on steroids. (4)
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 ease 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 repair the damage and ease 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.
Use of Cortisone Injections
There are more than five hundred thousand patients in the UK who have to make use of cortisone injections to ease the pain. The tendon and affected joint problems cannot be treated without the use of these injections. This treatment approach is very effective in multiple types of musculoskeletal problems like tendonitis and arthritis and provides effective pain relief.
Orthopaedic problems
Several orthopaedic health issues like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Arthritis is an inflammatory condition of the thumb, knees, and hips that causes significant aching and inflammation (5). The use of cortisone depends on the severity of the condition. Mostly, physiotherapy is the initial solution recommended for the patients. But exercise alone does not suffice for the treatment and so cortisone is used to reduce pain and prevent further wear and tear of joints.
Frozen shoulder is a problem that is also known as adhesive capsulitis. The patient is not able to move the shoulder at all, and the upper limb of the affected side becomes immovable because of discomfort. The symptoms of, inflammation, stiffness, and discomfort ameliorate on their own in a period of eight to twelve months. If symptoms persist, the treatment usually involves the use of hydrodistension injections. These injections reduce inflammation and decrease pain.
Health Diseases Related to Soft Tissue structures
Conditions related to ligaments and tendons inflammation can be improved using cortisone and hydrocortisone injections. Conditions related to soft tissues include tendinitis and tendinopathy. Discomfort associated with conditions like plantar fasciitis, golfer’s elbow, trigger finger, and tennis elbow present with tendon aches that are not easy to handle. Painful joints usually have an underlying cause of inflamed or damaged tendons and ligaments. Alternatively, barbotage can be used in the case of calcific tendonitis.
Ultrasound-Guided Injections Administration
Shot procedures can vary and not all these injections are administered by a nurse, a general physician, or other healthcare professionals and providers. If you have a specific orthopaedic case, your shot would most likely be administered by a consultant rheumatologist. An ultrasound scan (6) is an appropriate way to target the tendon, ligament, or joint. This will help avoid other sensitive structures like nerves and blood vessels and prevent complications. X-ray is not recommended in this case because it does not expose any soft tissues.
Side Effects of Steroid Shots
Steroidal injections of course do not come without side effects. There are multiple signs and symptoms that the patient might experience after their administration. NHS recommends the use of paracetamol as the first option for pain management followed by NSAIDs if the pain persists. Steroids are usually the last option. (7) Ache management can always be speeded by physio practices guided by physiotherapists. Patient care is very important in order to avoid any harmful, persistent, and life-threatening complications.
Additionally, if you have a chronic medical problem, you may continue to receive ultrasound guided hydrocortisone injections, though you may have to wait 3 months between each injection in the same joint.
Steroid shots at the UK private clinics
Private clinics in the UK offer a unique one stop shop. They provide a secure patient journey with no wasted time on extra appointments. In this patient journey, a patient is evaluated, scanned, and injected directly within one appointment. Many providers that give injections will ask you to come in for an evaluation first, then send you for a scan, and then evaluate you. Often, you will be sent to yet another initial consultation to get the shot. Also, this is important because the patient may be cared for by as many as three or four people.
These clinics also offer a unique online medical screening and permission form to save time. Thus, patient information provision, screening, and scheduling methods are highly efficient. Prior to booking, experienced doctors are available to answer any additional phone or email inquiries.
Experience and excellence – Over the past ten years, private clinics in the UK have flourished due to their exemplary reputation. Some clinics currently provide thousands of ultrasound-guided one-stop injections annually. This affords them to conduct numerous operational efficiencies that they are able to pass on to patients in order to keep costs low. Some clinics even offer a transparent pricing system.
Clinics in the UK offer highly effective, authentic steroid shots, which you can get at your nearby location. So, if you are suffering from any medical condition, get your shot today!
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can my GP give me a steroid shot?
A steroid shot should always be given by a general physician (GP) or a specialist. It should be administered by sterile methods and the site should be rubbed with an alcoholic swab to avoid infection.
- What is the average cost of an epidural steroid shot?
From multiple studies conducted in the UK, the average cost of an epidural shot of steroids is £219. It is an expensive option and is definitely out of reach for a layman to buy privately.
- Can I get a cortisone shot without a referral?
Yes, you can get your cortisone shot directly from your doctor or GP if you are willing to go for a steroid injection privately. Going for a private injection means you need immediate medical help for pain and so referrals are not required in this case.
- Where is the most painful place to get a cortisone shot?
The intensity of pain after cortisone injection varies from site to site. Of course, some sites present more pain than others. The palms of the hands and the soles of the feet are the most painful sites.
- How much do spinal steroid injections cost privately?
A spinal injection cost ranges from £1,110 to £2,290 depending on the area in the UK. It is cheaper comparatively in South East England and more expensive in the hospitals of Scotland.
- What is the success rate of epidural steroid shots?
A success rate of 54% to 80% is observed in the patients experiencing pain who receive epidural steroid injections. The success rate is more prominent when the shot is administered in the cervical spine region.
How do steroid joint shots work?
Steroid shots contain an active component that might begin functioning immediately after single injection administration. The corticosteroid medicine is directly injected into the afflicted joint, the corticosteroid solution begins to steadily release hydrocortisone to relieve inflammation, redness, and warmth.
The steroid solution will help alleviate pain and stiffness in the afflicted joint by calming the immune system. Once the drug takes effect, you will feel a reduction in swelling, and you will be able to resume joint function with far less discomfort and stiffness.
In contrast to many other medical treatments, you do not need to restrict eating food and drinking before your joint injection. You can eat food and liquids freely before and after therapy.
When will I feel better?
When will I feel better? is one of the most frequent questions about steroid joint shots. How quickly you experience the effects of the steroid shot will depend on the individual, the severity of their condition, and the symptoms being treated.
A few hours after administration, some individuals may get relief from joint swelling and ache, however for others, it may take a few days to notice the advantages.
patients also inquire as to how many steroid shots will be required. This also depends on how effectively your symptoms react to treatment. Some patients can achieve relief with a single dose and may not require any more treatment.
However, if you have a chronic medical problem, you may continue to receive hydrocortisone shots, though you may have to wait 3 months between each injection in the affected joint.
References:
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- Buchbinder, R. (2003, January 20). Cochrane Library. Cochrane Library. https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD004016/full
- Grillet, B., & Dequeker, J. (1990). Intra-Articular Steroid Injection A Risk-Benefit Assessment. Drug Safety, 5(3), 205–211. https://doi.org/10.2165/00002018-199005030-00005
- Gottlieb, N. L. (1980). Complications of Local Corticosteroid Injections. JAMA: The Journal of the American Medical Association, 243(15), 1547. https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1980.03300410035021
- Liu, J., Soo, C., Lin, Y., & Lin, C. (2021). An alternative approach for lumbar transforaminal epidural steroid injection is—Far lateral approach. Pain Practice, 21(8), 978–983. https://doi.org/10.1111/papr.13060
- Lambert, R. G. W., Hutchings, E. J., Grace, M. G. A., Jhangri, G. S., Conner-Spady, B., & Maksymowych, W. P. (2007). Steroid injection for osteoarthritis of the hip: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Arthritis & Rheumatism, 56(7), 2278–2287. https://doi.org/10.1002/art.22739
- Micu, M. C., Bogdan, G. D., & Fodor, D. (2010). Steroid injection for hip osteoarthritis: efficacy under ultrasound guidance. Rheumatology, 49(8), 1490–1494. https://doi.org/10.1093/rheumatology/keq030
- Cicala, R. S., Westbrook, L., & Angel, J. J. (1989). Side effects and complications of cervical epidural steroid injections. Journal of Pain and Symptom Management, 4(2), 64–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/0885-3924(89)90024-9