Private cortisone injections for arthritis: what they can and can't do
Which arthritic joints are injected, what NICE and the research say, how often you can have one, the risks, and how booking privately works at our Liverpool clinics.
Private cortisone injections for arthritis can ease a painful joint for a few weeks, sometimes longer, and NICE describes them as short term relief that is best used to support exercise rather than replace it (NICE, 2022). If you want to book one privately, you can come to us directly without a GP referral. You are assessed first by a qualified prescriber, and the injection costs £150, including ultrasound guidance and the medication.
Below we cover which joints are injected, what the evidence shows, how often you can have one and the risks. For prices across the UK, see our cortisone injection cost guide.
Which arthritic joints can be injected?
Cortisone (a corticosteroid, often just called a steroid injection) can be injected into most joints affected by osteoarthritis. The ones people ask us about most are listed below, with what the research says for each.
| Joint | What the evidence suggests | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Knee | Pain relief at 1 to 6 weeks, small and uncertain by 3 months, no clear effect by 6 months (Jüni et al., 2015) | Repeated injections every 3 months for 2 years did not reduce pain more than saline (McAlindon et al., 2017) |
| Hip | One ultrasound guided injection added to usual care improved pain over 6 months compared with usual care alone (Paskins et al., 2022) | The hip is deep, and guided injections land in the joint far more reliably (Hoeber et al., 2016) |
| Thumb base | Most studies reported short term pain relief, though the studies were small and varied (Fowler, Swindells and Burke, 2015) | One guided study found no benefit over placebo in moderate to severe arthritis (Fowler, Swindells and Burke, 2015) |
| Shoulder | NICE covers shoulder osteoarthritis under the same general advice: short term relief alongside exercise (NICE, 2022) | Arthritis, rotator cuff problems and frozen shoulder can feel similar |
Do cortisone injections work for osteoarthritis?
They can help, but the effect is usually temporary. The NICE osteoarthritis guideline (NG226) says the core treatments are therapeutic exercise and weight management where appropriate, along with information and support. It says to consider a steroid injection into the joint when other medicines haven't worked or aren't suitable, or to support therapeutic exercise, and to explain that it only gives short term relief of 2 to 10 weeks (NICE, 2022).
Cortisone injection for knee arthritis
A Cochrane review pooled 26 trials and 1,749 people with knee osteoarthritis. Compared with a sham injection, steroid injections improved pain at 1 to 2 weeks and at 4 to 6 weeks. By 3 months the benefit was small and uncertain, and by 6 months there was no clear difference. The authors rated the evidence as low quality, and found little evidence of harm (Jüni et al., 2015).
Steroid injection for hip arthritis
The UK HIT trial gave 199 adults with hip osteoarthritis either best current care (advice and education) alone, or best current care plus one ultrasound guided injection of steroid and local anaesthetic, or local anaesthetic alone. The steroid group had greater improvement in hip pain over 6 months than best current care alone. Against local anaesthetic alone, the difference was not statistically significant (Paskins et al., 2022). The authors concluded the steroid injection is an additional option alongside best current care.
In short, an injection is a tool for a window of time. In our experience it is most useful when pain is stopping you from doing the exercise and activity that help in the long run.
How often can you have a cortisone injection?
Versus Arthritis advises no more than three steroid injections into the same part of the body within a year, and sometimes fewer (Versus Arthritis, n.d.). An NHS hospital leaflet gives the same limit for a single joint and notes that injections are usually given when symptoms come back rather than at fixed intervals (University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, 2023).
In a two year trial of 140 people with knee osteoarthritis, an injection every 3 months led to greater loss of cartilage volume on MRI than saline, with no difference in pain (McAlindon et al., 2017). Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust also warns that repeated injections carry a risk of damage to cartilage and tendons (Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, n.d.). So if you find you need injections often, that is a sign to look again at the overall plan rather than keep repeating them.
Side effects, and who should not have one
Most people have no problems, but side effects can happen. Guy's and St Thomas' reports that around 1 in 10 people get more pain straight after the injection, usually settling within two days, and around 1 in 100 people with diabetes notice changes in blood sugar. Other effects include facial flushing, bruising, skin thinning or colour change at the injection site, and changes to periods. Infection and allergic reaction are rare (Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, n.d.).
An injection is usually postponed or not suitable if you (Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, n.d.; Versus Arthritis, n.d.):
- feel unwell, have an infection, or are taking antibiotics
- are allergic to local anaesthetic or steroids
- are having surgery in the area within the next week
- have diabetes that is hard to control
- have recently had, or are due, a vaccination
If you take blood thinners or have a bleeding disorder, tell us beforehand so we can discuss whether it is safe (Versus Arthritis, n.d.). Cortisone is a prescription only medicine, so these questions are part of the assessment before anything is prescribed.
Why ultrasound guidance and exercise matter
Every injection we give is under live ultrasound guidance, so we can see the needle reach the right place. This matters most for deep joints. A meta-analysis of hip injections found ultrasound guided injections reached the joint 100% of the time, compared with about 72% for injections guided by feel and anatomical landmarks (Hoeber et al., 2016).
Afterwards, avoid heavy lifting and repetitive use of the joint for about two weeks, then build activity back up gradually (Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, n.d.). That is when physiotherapy comes in. NICE recommends exercise tailored to each person, such as local muscle strengthening and general aerobic fitness, and notes that joint pain can increase at first but sticking with it brings the benefit (NICE, 2022).
Alternatives for knee osteoarthritis
For knee arthritis that keeps coming back, we also offer DUROLANE, a single injection of hyaluronic acid, and Arthrosamid, which is £2,800 all in, including the initial assessment, antibiotics beforehand, the ultrasound guided injection and a follow up appointment. We talk through the evidence for each before you decide, and our Arthrosamid vs DUROLANE guide explains the differences.
When to get checked urgently
Get urgent advice from your GP or NHS 111 if, more than 24 hours after an injection, the joint becomes hot, swollen and painful, or you feel feverish or unwell, as these can be signs of infection. Call 999 or go to A&E if you get swelling of the lips, mouth, throat or tongue, tightness in the throat, trouble swallowing or a spreading rash (Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, n.d.).
Frequently asked questions
Where can I book a private cortisone injection for arthritis in Liverpool?
You can book directly with The Treatment Table at our Seaforth or Speke clinics, with no GP referral needed. Our Clinical Director is a physiotherapist and independent prescriber, so we can assess you, prescribe and give the injection. It costs £150, including ultrasound guidance and the medication. Book online, call 0151 559 1107 or email info@thetreatmenttable.com.
Do cortisone injections work for osteoarthritis?
They can ease pain, but usually only for a while. NICE says steroid injections into the joint give short term relief of around 2 to 10 weeks and should support exercise, which remains the core treatment. A Cochrane review of knee osteoarthritis found pain relief at 1 to 6 weeks that faded by 3 months, with no clear benefit at 6 months.
How often can you have a cortisone injection in the same joint?
Versus Arthritis advises no more than three steroid injections into the same part of the body within a year, and sometimes fewer. Injections are usually given when symptoms return rather than on a schedule. In one two year trial, knee injections every 3 months caused more cartilage loss on MRI than saline, without better pain relief, so frequent repeats are best avoided.
What are the side effects of a steroid injection into a joint?
Most people have none. Around 1 in 10 people get more pain for up to two days afterwards, and around 1 in 100 people with diabetes notice blood sugar changes. Facial flushing, bruising, and skin thinning or colour change at the site can happen. Infection and allergic reactions are rare, but get urgent advice if the joint becomes hot, swollen and painful or you feel unwell.
Does a steroid injection for hip arthritis need ultrasound guidance?
The hip is a deep joint, and accuracy matters. A meta-analysis found ultrasound guided hip injections reached the joint 100% of the time, compared with about 72% for injections guided by feel and landmarks. The UK HIT trial also used ultrasound guided injections. At The Treatment Table, every injection we give is under live ultrasound guidance.
Booking private cortisone injections for arthritis in Liverpool
If you are looking for a private steroid injection near you in Liverpool, you don't need a GP referral. Our Clinical Director, Jamie Fullerton, is an HCPC registered physiotherapist and independent prescriber, so we can assess you, prescribe and give the injection without a GP sign-off. We start by checking the diagnosis and whether an injection is right for you. If it is, it costs £150 per injection, including the ultrasound guidance and the medication. If it isn't, we'll explain the other options. A physio assessment is £45.
We see patients at our clinics in Seaforth (Fitness Connection, 83 Seaforth Road, L21 3TY) and Speke (Business First Centre, Goodlass Road, L24 9HJ). Book online, call 0151 559 1107 or email info@thetreatmenttable.com. You can read more on our steroid injections page.
References
Fowler, A., Swindells, M.G. and Burke, F.D. (2015) 'Intra-articular corticosteroid injections to manage trapeziometacarpal osteoarthritis: a systematic review', Hand, 10(4), pp. 583 to 592. doi:10.1007/s11552-015-9778-3.
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust (n.d.) Steroid injections for joint and tendon pain. Available at: https://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/health-information/steroid-injections-joint-and-tendon-pain (Accessed: 7 November 2026).
Hoeber, S. et al. (2016) 'Ultrasound-guided hip joint injections are more accurate than landmark-guided injections: a systematic review and meta-analysis', British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50(7), pp. 392 to 396. doi:10.1136/bjsports-2014-094570.
Jüni, P. et al. (2015) 'Intra-articular corticosteroid for knee osteoarthritis', Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (10), CD005328. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD005328.pub3.
McAlindon, T.E. et al. (2017) 'Effect of intra-articular triamcinolone vs saline on knee cartilage volume and pain in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomized clinical trial', JAMA, 317(19), pp. 1967 to 1975. doi:10.1001/jama.2017.5283.
NICE (2022) Osteoarthritis in over 16s: diagnosis and management (NG226). Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng226/chapter/Recommendations (Accessed: 7 November 2026).
Paskins, Z. et al. (2022) 'Clinical effectiveness of one ultrasound guided intra-articular corticosteroid and local anaesthetic injection in addition to advice and education for hip osteoarthritis (HIT trial): single blind, parallel group, three arm, randomised controlled trial', BMJ, 377, e068446. doi:10.1136/bmj-2021-068446.
University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust (2023) Steroid injections for joint and soft tissue conditions. Available at: https://www.uhleicester.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/862_052023-Steroid-injections-for-joint-and-soft-tissue-conditions.pdf (Accessed: 7 November 2026).
Versus Arthritis (n.d.) Steroid injections. Available at: https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/steroid-injections/ (Accessed: 7 November 2026).