Painful joint and shoulder problems are very common, and one of the main reasons of impaired function and affect 1 in 3 adult patients.
Cortisone injections are common in the treatment of joint and shoulder related problems. These cortisone injections can be performed in two formats: in the blind form which is via anatomical landmarks to guide placement a needle or with ultrasound image guidance. Ultrasound (US) scanning is a safe, effective imaging tool to guide musculoskeletal injections into the intended anatomical area.
Musculoskeletal Ultrasound scans have become so common as technology has improved and now offers a better resolution to guide injections into joints and soft tissue. Using ultrasound has the unique advantage of being able to visualize soft tissues, bony landmarks, and the needle with real-time scanning, thereby allowing dynamic visualization.
Studies have shown that adults with joint and shoulder pain who underwent image-guided ultrasound injections had statistically significantly greater improvement in shoulder pain and function at 6 weeks after injection.
There is overwhelming evidence that ultrasound-guided steroid injections are much more accurate than unguided steroid injections. As needle placement can be monitored under ultrasound guidance it reduces the risk of trauma to structures which improve the injection safety significantly.
Ultrasound-guided injections are delivered by highly experienced and qualified musculoskeletal sonographers with extensive expertise in delivering ultrasound guided injections both in the clinical- as well as the Radiological setting. They have extensive clinical expertise as specialist Extended Scope Physiotherapists and have many years of experience in managing complex musculoskeletal conditions.
You will receive an expert clinical assessment followed by a diagnostic ultrasound scan to determine whether injection therapy is the correct treatment for you. This will help to evaluate the source of your pain symptoms and to identify the correct area to inject.
If injection therapy is not thought to be appropriate for you will be given a full explanation of the assessment findings including advice regarding appropriate management. In that case, you will only be charged a fee for the ultrasound scan but not for the injection.
Injections can be provided for the following areas:
If you are interested in injection therapy please contact our clinic so we can email/send you a patient information leaflet explaining the procedure including possible risks and side effects. It is important that you aware of these before having the injection so that you can make a well-informed decision. You will be sent a form to complete your medical history to email back to us or to take with you to your appointment. This is to establish whether we would need any further advice from your GP before administering an injection.
Injections are not given to any person of 16 years of age or younger. We cannot, unfortunately, provide injections for professional football players for reasons of insurance.
The fees for an ultrasound-guided steroid injection is £249 this also includes a diagnostic ultrasound scan and an expert clinical examination. The fee for a hyaluronic acid injection is £349.
If after assessment it is decided that injection therapy is not thought to be right for you will only be charged for the diagnostic ultrasound scan (£diagnostic scan fee) but you will not be charged the injection fee.
Please make sure that you have read the relevant patient information leaflet (available from Sonoworld.co.uk) on the relevant type of injection (steroid or Hyaluronic acid) to ensure that injection therapy is appropriate for you. Please fill out the completed form (available from Sonoworld.co.uk) with questions about your medical health and email or take with you to your appointment.
Medicines that can interfere with steroid injections:
Certain medications might interfere with steroids. When you are taking medications for conditions such as diabetes, cancer, or HIV please check with your specialist whether a steroid injection is appropriate. Blood-thinning medications such as warfarin may require a blood test and a temporary adjustment/change of your medication to make sure the blood is not too thin which might cause bleeding in the joint. If you are on blood-thinning medication such as warfarin you should consult your specialist first to obtain his/ her advice before having an injection.
Please include any information regarding your health and or medication that you are taking to your appointment.
Click here for ultrasound guided Hyaluronic Acid Injections.
Click here to see our clinical team.
More information about our ultrasound-guided injection clinic.
Steroid Injection: £249
Hyaluronic acid injection is £349.
A corticosteroid (or ‘cortisone’) is an anti-inflammatory medicine, which can be injected directly into the tissues that are causing your pain symptoms. It is generally safer than being on long term steroid tablets which is more likely to lead to unwanted side effects. It is also safer than taking high dosages of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets for longer periods of time. It acts directly in the area injected and is not the same as the steroids taken by bodybuilders or athletes.
The cortisone injection can help to relieve swelling, pain, and stiffness caused by inflammation. This may, in turn, help you to start your rehabilitation and return to normal activities sooner by ‘breaking the cycle’ of pain and inflammation. It can also be helpful to aid in the diagnosis of your condition if it is not clear which structures are responsible for your pain. You may also have a local anaesthetic injected at the same time, which allows for temporary pain relief.
Generally, speaking ultrasound-guided steroid injections are low risk. However, there are a number of potential side-effects and risks that you should be aware of prior to the injection. Please refer to our patient information leaflet which explains the potential risks and side-effects associated with steroid injections.
You will be placed in a comfortable position. The skin is cleaned with antiseptic. A needle is positioned into the affected area whilst the procedure is monitored by means of ultrasound guidance. The steroid (plus possibly a local anaesthetic) is injected through the needle. A plaster will be placed over the site to keep it clean.
The injection is not particularly painful as the clinician is thoroughly trained in this procedure. Sometimes it can be sore for a few hours after the procedure.
We are able to offer you:
You are in the right place if you are looking for a private ultrasound scan in London. At Sonoworld Diagnostics, London we offer an extensive range of private ultrasound scans in a convenient central London location next to Harley Street.
We offer same day and out of hours private ultrasound scan appointments in days and times to suit your busy schedule.
Our consultant sonographers are very experienced in the field of medical ultrasound so you can rest assured that your health is in good hands. We use the latest ultrasound scan diagnostic equipment to increase diagnostic accuracy. Sonoworld Diagnostics has been providing ultrasound scan services to the NHS and private sector since 2012 and therefore is well established in the field of medical ultrasound.
At our ultrasound scan clinic in London, we are able to offer you ultrasound scans in a clean and comfortable environment without the wait associated with the ultrasound scans provided by the NHS.
Sonoworld Diagnostic Services is registered with the CQC and has been trusted by the NHS and private sector since 2012 to provide unparalleled diagnostic ultrasound scan services. Our clients include healthcare professional such as GP’s and consultant radiologists. This is because our clients know that at Sonoworld will get the best ultrasound service with no compromise in diagnostic accuracy or the level of service.
Your ultrasound scan will be performed by one of our knowledgeable consultant sonographers. All our sonographers are qualified to UK and USA ultrasound standards so you can be assured that there is no compromise on the diagnostic accuracy of your ultrasound scan.
The cost of our ultrasound-guided cortisone injections is transparent. The price you’ll pay is the price you see with no hidden extras. Our prices are competitive and our service is 2nd to none. Maybe you can find similar scan cheaper elsewhere but in this time and age, as you know, you get what you paid for. We do not advertise scans costing from £29 just for you to click the link and find out that the real cost is significantly higher as our competitors do.
We offer evening and weekends appointments. You can choose the most suitable time and day by visiting our online booking diary. If for any reason you can not find a suitable ultrasound scan appointment please contact us via e-mail or phone.
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