Joint injections reduce the effectiveness of your body’s immune system temporarily, in order to reduce inflammation, which in turn can relieve pain from conditions such as arthritis. As vaccinations inject a small dose of a pathogen into your body, allowing your immune system to fight it off, you are not able to have a steroid injection when you have either had a vaccination, or are about to have one. If you require a vaccination for work or travel by a specific date, and also are in need of a steroid injection, please speak to your clinician so that they can advise you on how to proceed.
For more information about how steroid injections can help reduce pain from inflammation, visit our dedicated page here.
It is generally advised to not have more than three joint injections into the same part of the body within a year. There is evidence to suggest that too many joint injections in one area can cause damage to the tissue inside the body. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may suggest less than the maximum of three within a year.
For more information about joint injections, visit our dedicated service page or call 0300 303 9966.
You should discuss with your doctor or healthcare professional about having steroid injections if you have diabetes, as the injection can raise your blood sugar levels for a few days afterwards. It is important to monitor your blood sugar levels after a steroid injection.
For more information about diabetes and steroid injections, visit our dedicated service page or call 0300 303 9966.
Yes, you can take other medicines with steroid injections. An exception to this is if you have been prescribed a blood thinning drug, or anticoagulant. These include drugs such as warfarin and heparin. If you are taking any blood thinning medication, before your appointment, you may need to have an extra blood test to ensure that your blood is not too thin. If your blood is too thin, you run the risk of bleeding into the joint when you have the injection. Please let one of our Patient Care Advisors know that you are taking anticoagulants when you book your appointment, as you may be advised to adjust the dosage before having the treatment.
For more information about joint injections, visit our dedicated service page or call 0300 303 9966.
Joint injections are anti-inflammatory steroid injections that contain hydrocortisone. They release slowly into the joint, reducing pain and swelling. Joint injections are also known as inter-articular injections. Usually the effects can last from several months to a year and may need to be taken again at a later date.
For more information about our joint injection services, visit our dedicated page here.
