Benefits of Steroid Knee Injections
Quick reduction of inflammation and swelling
Significant pain relief within a few days
Can restore movement and allow you to continue physiotherapy
May reduce the need for stronger painkillers or other medicines
For many patients, steroid knee injections form part of a comprehensive treatment plan that can include physiotherapy and other injections such as hyaluronic acid or PRP.
Is This Procedure Right for You?
Steroid knee injections are a common treatment for:
Osteoarthritis flare-ups
Rheumatoid arthritis inflammation
Bursitis around the knee
Persistent pain not fully controlled by tablets or other treatments
Your specialist knee surgeon will advise if an articular injection is the best next step or if other treatments should be considered first.
The Procedure: What to Expect
Your steroid injection will take place in our clinic as an outpatient procedure:
Your doctor will clean the skin and apply local anaesthetic to numb the injection site.
Using ultrasound guidance, the steroid medicine is injected into the knee joint.
The whole procedure usually takes under 20 minutes and you can go home shortly afterwards.
Some patients feel brief discomfort during the injection, but this settles quickly.
Pain Relief and Recovery
Many patients feel improvement in pain and stiffness within 48 hours, with peak benefit at around one to two weeks. Relief can last from several weeks to a few months, depending on your condition.
Steroid injections can be repeated if needed, but your consultant will limit the number each year to reduce the risk of side effects.
Booking Your First Injection
At The West London Knee & Hip Clinic, all knee joint injections are performed by experienced specialists, using ultrasound for accuracy and local anaesthetic for comfort. The cost for an ultrasound-guided steroid injection into the knee is £500.
We offer appointments at our Mayfair, Chiswick, Earl’s Court and Brentford locations. If you are struggling with persistent knee pain and would like to discuss whether a steroid injection might help, book a consultation with our team today.
Ready to move comfortably again?
Book your appointment with The West London Knee & Hip Clinic and take the first step towards better joint health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients feel some pain relief within 48 hours. Maximum benefit is usually felt after one to two weeks.
Relief can last from a few weeks up to several months, depending on your condition and how your knee responds.
To reduce the risk of side effects, we typically recommend no more than 3 to 4 steroid injections per joint per year.
Yes, they are safe when performed by a specialist using ultrasound guidance. Minor side effects like temporary pain at the injection site are common but usually mild.
Rest the knee for 24–48 hours and avoid strenuous activities. You can usually return to light daily activities shortly after.
Steroid injections reduce inflammation but do not cure arthritis. Many patients combine them with physiotherapy and other treatments for longer-term results.
Possible risks include infection (rare), allergic reaction, temporary flare-up of pain, and with frequent injections, potential cartilage weakening. Your consultant will discuss this with you.
Yes, but if a local anaesthetic was used, your knee may feel numb for a short time. Arrange for someone to drive you if you feel unsteady.