Steroid injections are a widely used treatment for hip pain, especially in conditions like hip osteoarthritis, bursitis, and labral tears. While these injections can provide rapid relief, it’s important to understand their benefits, potential side effects, and alternative treatments. This article, written by leading hip pain specialist Mr Oliver Eaton, provides evidence-based insights, real patient experiences, and expert recommendations to help you make informed decisions about your hip health.
Understanding Hip Pain
Hip pain is a widespread issue that can disrupt daily living, making simple activities like walking, sitting, or sleeping uncomfortable. The hip joint is a complex structure, and pain can arise from various sources. One of the most common causes is osteoarthritis of the hip, a condition where the protective cartilage and synovial fluid within the joint gradually break down. This leads to increased friction, swelling, and stiffness, often resulting in persistent discomfort and reduced mobility.
Inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, is another significant contributor to hip pain. In these conditions, the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the joint lining, causing inflammation, pain, and sometimes cartilage damage. Over time, this can lead to further joint stiffness and swelling, making movement even more challenging. Understanding the specific cause of your hip pain is crucial, as it guides the most effective treatment options to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and restore function.
What Are Steroid Injections for Hip Pain?
Steroid injections, also known as corticosteroid injections, are a type of joint injection used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain in the hip joint and surrounding tissues. Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medications used in these injections. The procedure involves using a needle to inject a synthetic corticosteroid, often combined with a local anesthetic, directly into the affected area to target inflammation and pain. A corticosteroid injection involves injecting corticosteroids directly into the hip joint to reduce inflammation. Joint injections can also be used to treat pain and inflammation in other joints.
A cortisone injection is a common type of corticosteroid injection used to manage hip pain.
A proper diagnosis is essential before proceeding with a steroid injection.
How Do Steroid Injections Work?
Steroid injections work by suppressing the body’s inflammatory response in the hip, targeting the affected area to reduce inflammation within the body. These injections provide pain relief by reducing swelling and inflammation, which helps relieve pain and improve mobility. Relief can be felt within a few days and may last from several weeks to a few months, depending on the underlying condition and individual response [2]. As symptoms improve, patients may experience increased mobility and function.
Who Can Benefit from Hip Steroid Injections?
Steroid injections are often recommended for patients with:
- Hip osteoarthritis
- Trochanteric bursitis
- Labral tears
- Rheumatoid arthritis affecting the hip
- Inflammatory hip conditions
They are typically considered when other treatments, such as physical therapy and oral medications, have not provided sufficient relief.
When to Consider a Hip Steroid Injection
Hip steroid injections are often considered when patients continue to experience hip pain or inflammation despite trying other treatments. If you have persistent symptoms in your hip that have not improved with physical therapy, anti-inflammatory medications, or rest, your healthcare provider may recommend a steroid injection. Cortisone is a type of steroid that works by reducing inflammation and providing pain relief, making it a valuable option for patients whose symptoms have not responded to more conservative therapies [3].
What to Expect During the Procedure
The procedure is usually performed in a clinic setting. The skin over the hip is cleaned, and a local anesthetic may be used to numb the area. The procedure is often performed as an ultrasound guided injection, using ultrasound guidance to ensure accurate placement. A needle is used to inject the steroid medication directly into the joint space. The medication is injected directly into the joint space for targeted relief. Some patients may experience discomfort or find the procedure painful, but this is usually brief. The process takes about 10-15 minutes, and most patients can return home shortly after. Some mild discomfort or soreness at the injection site is normal and typically resolves within 48 hours. As the anaesthetic wears off, some patients may notice a return of discomfort before the steroid takes full effect.
Recovery and Aftercare
After the injection, mild soreness or swelling at the injection site is common and usually resolves within 48 hours. Applying an ice pack and resting the hip for a day or two can help reduce swelling in the soft tissue around the hip. Most patients notice pain relief within a few days. It’s important to follow your clinician’s advice regarding activity and rehabilitation exercises to maximize the benefits of the injection.
Potential Side Effects and Risks
While steroid injections are generally safe, some side effects and risks include:
- Pain or swelling: Temporary discomfort at the site where the medication was injected.
- Skin changes: Thinning or lightening of the skin around the injection area.
- Facial flushing: Redness and warmth in the face for a few hours.
- Elevated blood sugar: Especially in people with diabetes.
- Infection: Rare but possible at the injection site.
- Tendon weakening or rupture: With repeated injections.
- Allergic reaction: Extremely rare.
Repeated injections should be limited to reduce the risk of joint or tendon damage [4]. For many patients, a single injection may provide sufficient relief, but guidelines often limit the total number to three injections per year.
Benefits of Hip Injections
Hip injections offer a targeted approach to managing hip pain, especially when other treatments have not provided sufficient relief. Corticosteroid injections are commonly used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain directly within the hip joint. By delivering medication precisely where it’s needed, these injections can quickly ease pain and swelling, allowing for improved movement and greater comfort during daily activities.
In addition to corticosteroid injections, hyaluronic acid injections are another option for those with hip pain. Hyaluronic acid acts as a lubricant within the joint, helping to reduce friction and support smoother movement. Both types of injections can provide significant pain relief, making it easier to stay active and maintain your quality of life. For many patients, hip injections are an important part of a comprehensive treatment plan to manage inflammation, relieve pain, and support joint health.
Hyaluronic Acid and Joint Health
Hyaluronic acid is a vital component of healthy joints, naturally present in the synovial fluid that cushions and lubricates the hip. In people with hip osteoarthritis, the amount and quality of hyaluronic acid in the joint can decrease, leading to increased pain, stiffness, and inflammation. This loss of lubrication makes everyday movements more difficult and can accelerate joint wear.
Hyaluronic acid injections are designed to restore this essential substance within the hip joint. By supplementing the body’s natural supply, these injections help to reduce friction, absorb shock, and ease pain associated with hip osteoarthritis. The result is improved joint mobility and a reduction in inflammation, allowing patients to move more freely and with less discomfort. For those seeking alternatives to corticosteroid injections, hyaluronic acid injections can be an effective treatment to support joint health and enhance overall quality of life.
Case Study: Steroid Injection for Hip Osteoarthritis
Patient: Female, 62, with moderate hip osteoarthritis and chronic hip pain.
Treatment: Received a single ultrasound-guided steroid injection after months of limited improvement with physiotherapy and oral medications.
Outcome: Within one week, the patient reported significant reduction in pain and improved mobility. She was able to resume gentle exercise and daily activities. No adverse effects were reported.
Treatments: Alternatives to Steroid Injections for Hip Pain
If you are concerned about the risks of steroid injections or have not achieved lasting relief, several evidence-based alternatives are available:
- Physical Therapy: Targeted exercises to restore strength and mobility.
- Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): Uses your own blood components to promote healing.
- Prolotherapy: See below for more details.
- Medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and pain relievers.
- Hyaluronic Acid Injection: This option can help manage pain and improve joint function by mimicking natural synovial fluid, providing lubrication and shock absorption for osteoarthritis in the hips, knee, and other joints.
- Lifestyle Modifications: Activity modification, ergonomic adjustments, and weight management.
Prolotherapy
In recent years, Prolotherapy has built its reputation within the medical community for its clinically proven ability to treat hip 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 hip pain.
As prolotherapy is helping to treat the root cause of hip pain, it is deemed to be a permanent fix, preventing the symptoms from returning.
Expert Recommendations
Before considering steroid injections, consult with a qualified hip pain specialist to discuss your symptoms, medical history, and all available treatment options. At ProHealth Clinic, we prioritize patient education and long-term outcomes, offering a range of regenerative therapies tailored to your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are steroid injections safe for hip pain?
When performed by an experienced clinician, steroid injections are generally safe for short-term relief of hip pain. However, repeated use increases the risk of side effects and long-term complications.
How long does pain relief from a hip steroid injection last?
Pain relief can last from several weeks to a few months, depending on the underlying condition and individual response.
How many steroid injections can I have in my hip?
Most guidelines recommend limiting steroid injections to three or four per year in the same area to reduce the risk of joint or tendon damage. Your clinician will advise on the safest frequency based on your specific case.
What are the alternatives to steroid injections for hip pain?
Alternatives include physical therapy, prolotherapy, PRP, medications, and lifestyle changes. A specialist can help determine the best option for your condition.
Is prolotherapy effective for hip pain?
Research and clinical experience suggest that prolotherapy can be effective for many types of hip pain, especially when other treatments have failed. It works by stimulating the body’s natural healing processes.
Contact ProHealth Clinic Today for Your FREE 15-Minute Discovery Call
Don’t let hip pain control your life any longer. Join the thousands of patients who have found lasting relief through prolotherapy at ProHealth Clinic.
Get in Touch
Phone: +441234380345
Email: info@prohealthclinic.co.uk
Our Clinic Locations
London: 104 Harley Street, Marylebone, W1G 7JD
Manchester: The Hadley Clinic, 64 Bridge Street, M3 3BN
Bedford: The Village Medical Centre, Kingswood Way, MK40 4GH
All clinics offer the same award-winning prolotherapy treatment with convenient appointment times, including evenings and weekends.
Author Bio
Having performed over 10,000 procedures, Mr Eaton is one of the UK’s leading practitioners in the field of treating hip 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 hip 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
References
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). “Corticosteroid injections for hip pain.” NICE.
- McCabe PS, Maricar N, Parkes MJ, et al. “The efficacy of intra-articular steroids in hip osteoarthritis: a systematic review.” Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2016;24(9):1509-1517. Osteoarthritis Cartilage.
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. “Hip Injection.” AAOS.
- Conaghan PG, et al. “Safety and efficacy of steroid injections for hip pain.” BMJ. 2019;367:l6459. BMJ.