No, the steroids used are different and very similar to those your body naturally produces so are extremely safe.

It will reduce pain to start rehabilitation sooner, needing fewer treatments and return to normal activities more quickly.

You can but the side effects of these are much more common and can cause stomach upsets and bleeding. These injections bypass the stomach and are much more effective.

I won’t administer the injection if you have any infection, are allergic to local anaesthetic, due to have surgery at the site of injection, are pregnant, feel unwell, are under 18 or do not want the injection

Not usually, injecting physiotherapists undergo very intensive training to minimise pain though of course you feel the initial pain of peircing the skin. Occasionally it can be sore for a few hours so if required take analgesia.

If local anaesthetic is used the pain should ease almost immediately though may return after about an hour – just like when you visit the dentist. The steroid usually starts to work within 24-48 hours, but in some cases may take longer, once treated it usually continues to have an effect for at least six weeks

Usually one injection is sufficient, but if the pain is severe or has been there for a long time, you may need more.

Usually I will want to see you in approximately one to two weeks after the injection. I will assess your response to the injection, provide any relevant treatment, update your exercise programme and provide any necessary self-management advice.

Very rarely, some people find that they may experience: flushing of the face for a few hours, a dip in the skin or change of colour in the skin around the injection site, temporary bruising particulary if you are taking blood thinning medication, an alteration in your blood sugar if you are diabetic or for females slight vaginal bleeding.

These injections will help all osteoarthritic synovial joints and the majority of soft tissue conditions.