Hyaluronic Acid Joint Injections
Steroid injections are certainly the most commonly used joint injections for joint and tendon disorders. Steroid injections seek to rapidly reduce the inflammation and improve use of the joint. Following steroid injection, it is important to rest the joint for a few days, before gradually increasing activity and load bearing over the course of around one week. This is to reduce the risks of further tendon damage.
Risks are low, and usually very short lived. Risks associated with HA joint injections may include:
- Nerve injury & worsening of symptoms: This is typically only in the short term, but can lead to a sustained increase in symptoms, although this risk remains less than 0.1%.
- Infection: As with any surgical or medical intervention, there is an increased risk of infection. There is thought to be around a 005%- 0.0002% increased likelihood of septic arthritis. Signs of septic arthritis include a fever, increasingly swollen hot joint and increasing pain. If you find this you should speak to your GP or out of hours clinician for assessment without delay.
- Joint swelling: This will typically only last a few days if noticed at all.
- Failure to work: This is always a possibility with any medical or surgical intervention. While we often see fantastic results, the pains may not resolve, or may return.
- Risk of bleeding: Especially if on anticoagulants. Bleeding from the injection site would be stopped before leaving the clinic, but any further bleeding should be stopped with firm pressure for a minute or two and a simple plaster. Haemoarthrosis (bleeding into joint) is found in up to 0.15% of those on blood thinning medication, and lower in those not taking blood thinning medications. People taking warfarin should ensure INR is below 3.0 prior to injection, if this level is agreed with primary healthcare provider.
- Other potential complications: These include feeling flush or faint, allergic reaction, menstrual irregularity, vascular damage, and a small risk of temporary immunosuppression reducing the immune response against virus & bacteria.
What our clients say
Thank you very much for giving me the steroid injection in my shoulder, it has eased the pain 40%, and made my life back to normal.
Dear Jon,
You gave me a steroid jab in my right hand, and I'm delighted to sat it has worked its wonderful magic. Thank you very much.
Jon was brilliant. He had time for me and answered all of my questions and communicated information really well. I feel very reassured after being so worried. Very much appreciate his time.
Many thanks for your kindness and support.
You were really good, attentive and informative.
