Injections

Hyaluronic acid is a long polysaccharide chain, that is naturally present in the human body. It is found in the highest concentrations of fluids in the joints.

A medicine which can help relieve inflammation (swelling) and pain. It is sometimes called steroid for short.

The injection can help to reduce the irritability and severity of your symptoms to allow continued rehabilitation and conservative treatments.

The injection delivers steroid medication directly to the site of pain, which is usually more effective, and has less side effects than taking steroid tablets. The injection should reduce pain for least 6 weeks and allow you to slowly return to your normal activities or to engage with a period of rehabilitation.

They include the following and a more detailed list can be found on the manufacturer’s information: 

• Cosmetic changes including reduced skin pigment and/ or dimpling of the skin at the injection site  

• Flushing of the face for a few hours 

• Bruising at the injection site (more likely if you are on blood thinning medications) 

• A temporary Increased pain (up to 3-5 days) 

• Numbness, tingling or increased pain if a nerve has been touched by the needle 

• Tendon rupture 

• Slight vaginal bleeding 

• Diabetic patients may notice a temporary increase in blood sugar levels and should monitor these after the injection for up to 10 days, seeking medical advice as needed 

• Changes in Mood. This is more likely if you or your family have a history of psychosis 

• Increased blood pressure, which is unlikely to be noticeable unless your blood pressure is currently not controlled 

• Post injection joint Infection: This is very rare, one person in 10,000 may experience this. if the area that was injected becomes hot, red, swollen and very painful, or if you feel unwell within 24-72 hours after the injection you should seek urgent medical attention 

• Other infections: Avoid close personal contact with unwell individuals following steroid injection. For example, people with Chickenpox, measles, and tuberculosis, especially if you have not had chickenpox or completed routine childhood vaccinations 

• Anaphylaxis, which is a life-threatening allergic reaction. Anaphylaxis is extremely rare in response to injected steroids or local anaesthetic.  

You will be asked to wait for up to 30 minutes after the injection to ensure you do not have any immediate adverse reaction to the injection. 

A specialist physiotherapist, who has undertaken further injection training to assess and administer the injection safely.

Yes, if you: 

• Have an infection on your skin or anywhere else in your body 

• Are allergic to Lidocaine (local anaesthetic) or steroids 

• Feel unwell 

• Are due to have surgery in the area in the next 6 months  

• Are pregnant or breast-feeding 

• Have a replacement joint at the injection site 

• Are under 18 

• Have poorly controlled diabetes and/or hypertension 

• Do not want the injection 

Your clinician will discuss these factors with you when deciding whether it is safe for you to have the injection.