Joint Injections
Access pain-relieving injections quickly with ultrasound-guided treatment available at Altius Healthcare
Ultrasound guided
Types of injections
Our joint injection service treats pain from conditions including:
- Wear and tear/degenerative issues (osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis)
- Tendinopathies (tennis/golfer’s elbow)
- Shoulder conditions (subacromial bursitis, frozen shoulder)
Corticosteroids (cortisone) Injections
Involves injecting corticosteroid medication into a specific area of the body to reduce inflammation and relieve pain. They are commonly used to treat conditions such as arthritis, tendinopathy, and bursitis.
Hyaluronic Acid Injections (Joint lubricant – Ostenil Plus & Ostenil Tendon)
Hyaluronic acid injections (specifically Ostenil Plus) are used to treat joint pain and inflammation by providing lubrication and cushioning to the affected area.
Arthrosamid
Arthrosamid® offers a significant advancement in treating knee osteoarthritis, providing a long-acting and effective treatment. It enhances the synovial fluid’s viscosity, lubricating and cushioning the joint.
Joint Aspirations
Joint aspirations involve using ultrasound guidance to insert a needle into a joint cavity, drawing out excess fluid to reduce swelling and pain. This technique is particularly beneficial for joint injuries.
Hydrodilatation for Frozen Shoulder (Adhesive Capsulitis)
Involves injecting the joint capsule of the shoulder with local anaesthetic, sterile saline solution, and corticosteroid using ultrasound guidance for greater precision.
Not sure where to start?
Contact us here and we can help give the best treatment advice for your injury.
Patient presentations vary greatly. Contact our team to discuss which treatments are most suitable for your specific condition.
You’re in safe hands
Expert Care Provider
At Altius Healthcare, we offer pain-relieving injections with ultrasound-guided treatment delivered by our expert physiotherapist, Ben Harper. With over a decade of experience in professional sport, including as lead clinician for Team GB during the Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 Olympics, Ben brings exceptional expertise to our patients. His background spans the England Youth Programme, Leeds Rhinos, Castleford Tigers, Great Britain Taekwondo and Huddersfield Giants Rugby League.
Ben’s masters-level qualifications in Strength & Conditioning and Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Imaging, plus specialised training in clinical anatomy, injection therapy and medicines prescribing enable him to provide superior care. Using diagnostic ultrasound, Ben ensures accurate diagnosis and precisely guides injection delivery in real-time, maximising treatment effectiveness for both elite athletes and our clinic patients.
Risk Factors
What risks are there?
Most of the risks associated with injections that are usually not serious (please read the specific injectable information tabs and documents). Please note that specific risk factors associated with your individual medical history are considered in isolation, therefore it is vital that you include this within the online form or make one of our practitioners aware if there is an omission. Specific medical conditions are considered on an individual basis and will be discussed with you prior to the delivery of a treatment. The content within this section, discusses infection and allergies as well as aftercare to reduce the risk of complications associated with these issues.
Infection
Whilst rare, as the skin is breached one of the most serious complications that can occur after injectiWhilst rare, as the skin is breached one of the most serious complications that can occur after injections is infection, if you experience any of the signs or symptoms of infection then you must not ignore them as they can lead to joint or soft tissue damage. If treatment is delayed the infection can spread to other areas of the body. Joint infection requires urgent medical attention. If you experience any of the symptoms below, please seek medical attention by your clinician/GP on the same day or attend A&E to be screened for infection:
- Significantly increasing pain
- Local redness, heat and swelling
- Suddenly feeling unwell
- Fever/high temperature
Micro bacteria are invisible, organisms live on surfaces, in the air and in the human body. Techniques are in place to reduce the number of bacteria on the skin, but bacteria cannot be removed completely, in most cases the bacteria are harmless but in rare cases they can be very harmful to the joint (e.g. septic arthritis). Infection risk with injections is small, as the medical device, medicine and equipment that are used are sterile (untouched and packaged).
When preparing the injection, we make sure that all sterile products that contact the injectable remain untouched (i.e. needle, drug vial), should advanced procedure like aspirations or when multiple syringes are used (i.e. combination treatments, hydrodistension, Arthrosamid), sterile gloves are also worn when removing syringes from the needle that is inserted into the targeted anatomy (i.e. joint).
Aseptic technique
An aseptic technique ensures that only uncontaminated equipment and fluids come into contact with susceptible body sites. It should be used during any clinical procedure that bypasses the body’s natural defences. Using the principles of asepsis minimises the spread of organisms from one person to another.
Healthcare-associated infections are caused by a wide range of microorganisms. These are often carried by the patients themselves, and have taken advantage of a route into the body provided by an invasive device or procedure. Healthcare-associated infections can exacerbate existing or underlying conditions, delay recovery and adversely affect quality of life (NICE, 2012).
Using the principles of asepsis minimises the spread of organisms from one person to another.
Aftercare
Chlorhexidine is an antibacterial present in a wide range of topical and oromucosal antiseptic products, including over-the-counter mouthwashes. At Cheshire Joint Injections Chlorhexidine is our preferred choice of aseptic solution however as with other solutions, in rare cases some people may be allergic.
Healthcare professionals are reminded that chlorhexidine is known to induce hypersensitivity, including generalised allergic reactions and anaphylactic shock. The prevalence of chlorhexidine hypersensitivity is unknown, but available literature suggests this is likely to be very rare. Products or medical devices containing chlorhexidine should not be administered to anyone with a possible history of an allergic reaction to chlorhexidine (NICE, 2012).
If you have a known allergy to chlorhexidine, please let us know ahead of your appointment.
Aseptic solutions and allergies
After your injection you will be given specific advice about what to do in the days following. Some key points are listed below:
Keep the area dry for 6 hours
Do not massage, rub creams, anti-inflammatory products or shower gels into the area
Do not return to strenuous exercise for 72 hours (this is a timeframe average that varies per patient and condition and therefore may be longer)
Maintain general hygiene
If you develop a rash, tight chest or other potential signs of allergy please attend A&E and do not drive
This is general advice that applies to all injections, please also read specific injectable documents for information on your specific treatment