In short: A joint injection, most often a corticosteroid (steroid) injection, delivers anti-inflammatory medicine directly into or around a painful joint, tendon or bursa. For some people it eases pain for a few weeks to a few months, which can make exercise and physiotherapy easier. It does not cure the underlying problem, it is not suitable for everyone, and it carries some risks. Whether an injection is appropriate is decided by a clinician after an individual musculoskeletal (MSK) assessment.

This guide, written by a Ready Health prescribing pharmacist, explains how joint injections work, who might be considered for one, the possible side effects and the alternatives, so you can have an informed conversation with a clinician.

What is a joint injection?

Steroid joint injections are prescription-only medicines. They usually contain a corticosteroid, sometimes combined with a local anaesthetic. The steroid reduces inflammation in the joint lining or surrounding soft tissues, and the anaesthetic can give brief numbness straight after the injection.

Other types exist. Hyaluronic acid ("viscosupplementation") injections are sometimes offered privately for knee osteoarthritis, but NICE advises the NHS not to offer them for osteoarthritis because the evidence of benefit is weak.

Which conditions are joint injections used for?

A clinician may consider a steroid injection for conditions such as:

Osteoarthritis flare-ups, for example in the knee, hip, thumb base or shoulder.
Inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis, usually alongside specialist care.
Frozen shoulder and some other shoulder problems.
Bursitis, for example around the hip or shoulder.
Some tendon problems, although injections near certain tendons need particular caution.
Gout, occasionally, when other treatments are unsuitable.

Who might be considered for a joint injection?

NICE guidance on osteoarthritis recommends that exercise, weight management where relevant, and information about the condition come first. A steroid injection may be considered when other treatments have not helped enough or are unsuitable, or to help someone take part in an exercise programme. Relief is usually short term.

An injection may not be suitable if you:

Have an infection in or near the joint, or feel generally unwell.
Have had several injections in the same area recently.
Have poorly controlled diabetes, a bleeding disorder or take anticoagulants (this needs individual assessment).
Have a joint replacement in the area, or are allergic to any of the ingredients.
Are pregnant, or have certain other medical conditions.

What happens at a joint injection appointment?

Assessment: a clinician takes a history, examines the joint, reviews any scans and medicines, and discusses all your options, including not having an injection.
Consent: if an injection is appropriate, the benefits, risks and alternatives are explained before you decide.
Injection: the skin is cleaned and the medicine is injected with a fine needle. It usually takes a few minutes.
Aftercare: you are advised to avoid heavy use of the joint for a day or two, then gradually return to activity and any prescribed exercises.

What are the side effects and risks of steroid joint injections?

Type	Examples
Common, usually short-lived	Pain or a flare in the joint for a day or two, facial flushing, temporary rise in blood sugar in people with diabetes
Less common	Thinning or lightening of the skin at the injection site, small dent from fat loss, disturbed sleep or mood, changes to periods
Rare but serious	Joint infection, tendon damage or rupture, allergic reaction

Seek urgent medical help if the joint becomes increasingly hot, red, swollen and painful, or you develop a fever, in the days after an injection, as this can signal infection.

How often can you have a steroid injection?

There is no single rule, but injections into the same joint are usually spaced at least three months apart, and most clinicians limit them to a few per year in the same place. Repeated injections may have diminishing returns and can increase the risk of side effects. If an injection gives little or no benefit, repeating it is unlikely to help.

What are the alternatives to joint injections?

Targeted exercise and physiotherapy, which have the strongest evidence for long-term benefit in osteoarthritis.
Weight loss where relevant, which reduces load on hips and knees.
Pain relief such as topical anti-inflammatory gels, with oral medicines used carefully at the lowest effective dose.
Supports, walking aids, heat or cold, and activity pacing.
Referral to an orthopaedic or rheumatology specialist, including discussion of surgery where appropriate.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a steroid injection last?

It varies. Some people notice improvement within a few days that lasts weeks to a few months; others get little benefit.

Is a joint injection painful?

Most people feel brief discomfort similar to other injections. A local anaesthetic is often included.

Can I drive afterwards?

Usually yes, unless the joint feels numb or weak, for example after a hip, knee or ankle injection. Your clinician will advise.

Will an injection delay joint replacement surgery?

Surgeons often prefer a gap of several months between a steroid injection and joint replacement because of infection risk, so tell your clinician if surgery is planned.

Key takeaways

Steroid joint injections can give short-term pain relief for some joint and soft-tissue conditions.
They work best alongside exercise and rehabilitation, not instead of it.
They are prescription-only and carry risks, so suitability is decided by a clinician after assessment.
NICE does not recommend hyaluronic acid injections for osteoarthritis on the NHS.

Sources and further reading

Last reviewed: October 2026 by Shamir Patel, Independent Prescribing Pharmacist, Ready Health. This article is general information and does not replace advice from your own clinician.

If joint pain is limiting your daily life, you can book a musculoskeletal joint assessment at Ready Health in Standish, Wigan. A clinician will examine the joint and talk through all suitable options, which may include physiotherapy, onward referral or, where appropriate, an injection.

Joint Injections for Joint Pain: Benefits, Risks and Alternatives