Joint Injection Therapy

What is joint injection therapy?

Some joint problems — osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, shoulder or thumb, frozen shoulder, or stubborn bursitis — do not settle with exercise and hands-on treatment alone. In these cases an injection into or around the joint may help reduce pain and inflammation enough to let rehabilitation progress.

Our Clinical Lead Physiotherapist, who has completed postgraduate training in injection therapy, provides landmark-guided injections (using anatomical landmarks rather than ultrasound guidance).

Two types of injection

• Anti-inflammatory injection – used for flare-ups of joint or soft-tissue inflammation. This involves a prescription-only medicine, so it is not something we advertise or book directly: whether it is appropriate for you is decided with a doctor after your assessment.
• Hyaluronic acid injection – a lubricating gel injected into osteoarthritic joints (most commonly the knee) that may help ease pain and stiffness for several months in some people.

How it works at our clinic

1. An initial assessment to confirm the diagnosis and that an injection is appropriate.
2. A discussion of benefits, risks and alternatives, and written consent.
3. The injection itself, usually a short appointment, followed by advice on activity for the next few days.
4. A follow-up to review your response and continue rehabilitation — injections tend to work better as part of a plan than on their own.

Is it for everyone?

No. Injections are not suitable for some people (for example with certain infections, uncontrolled diabetes, or on some blood-thinning medicines). We will screen for this at your assessment and can arrange a review with a doctor where needed.