HIP STEROID INJECTIONS
Hip pain can make simple daily movements, walking, bending, or even sitting, painful and restrictive.
At Alton Pain Clinic, we offer hip steroid injections to help reduce inflammation and provide lasting relief from a range of joint and soft-tissue conditions. Using ultrasound guidance, we ensure every injection is delivered accurately to the affected area for optimal results.
What Are Hip Steroid Injections?
A hip steroid injection (also called a corticosteroid injection) delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly into or around the hip joint. This treatment targets pain caused by inflammation within the joint capsule or surrounding structures. The injection typically contains a corticosteroid to calm inflammation and a local anaesthetic to provide immediate pain relief.
By placing the medication exactly where it’s needed, this treatment can help improve mobility, support physiotherapy, and reduce reliance on painkillers.
What Conditions Can Be Treated?
Hip steroid injections can help manage pain and stiffness linked to:
- Hip osteoarthritis: Degeneration of cartilage inside the joint.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the small fluid-filled sacs cushioning the hip joint.
- Tendonitis: Irritation or inflammation of tendons around the hip, such as the iliopsoas or gluteal tendons.
- Labral tears or impingement: Irritation within the hip joint, causing sharp or catching pain.
- Inflammatory arthritis: Conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis or ankylosing spondylitis.
If conservative measures like rest, physiotherapy, and medication haven’t resolved your symptoms, a steroid injection may be an effective next step.
The Procedure
- Assessment: Your clinician begins with a detailed consultation to review your history, symptoms, and any previous imaging.
- Ultrasound guidance: Using advanced ultrasound, we visualise the exact structures around your hip and determine the ideal injection point.
- Injection: After cleaning and numbing the area, the clinician uses a fine needle to inject the steroid and anaesthetic mixture into the targeted site.
- Aftercare: You can usually go home shortly afterwards. We’ll advise you to rest the hip for 24–48 hours and gradually return to activity.
The ultrasound guidance ensures high accuracy, minimising discomfort and maximising the chance of long-term pain reduction.
The Benefits of Hip Steroid Injections
- Reduces inflammation and pain directly at the source.
- Improves movement and comfort, allowing better participation in physiotherapy.
- Minimally invasive with no hospital stay required.
- Fast-acting relief, often noticeable within a few days.
- Supports recovery by calming irritation and promoting normal joint movement.
While injections can provide significant pain relief, they are most effective when combined with appropriate exercise, weight management, and physiotherapy.
After Your Injection…
You may notice mild soreness or temporary flare-up for 24–48 hours as the steroid begins to take effect. Full benefit is often seen within one to two weeks. You can usually resume light activity soon after but should avoid intense exercise for a few days.
What our patients say
FAQs
How long will the injection last?
Relief can last anywhere from several weeks to several months. The duration varies depending on the underlying cause and your activity levels.
Are hip steroid injections painful?
Most patients report minimal discomfort. The local anaesthetic numbs the area, and ultrasound ensures precise placement.
How many injections can I have?
Typically, steroid injections are limited to three per joint per year to reduce the risk of tissue irritation or side effects.
Can I walk after the injection?
Yes, you can usually walk out of the clinic, though we recommend taking it easy for the rest of the day and avoiding strenuous activity for 24–48 hours.