On this page…
You have been referred for a cortisone (steroid) injection
Local anaesthetic and corticosteroid injections are commonly performed and are generally safe. However, to make an informed decision and give your consent, you need to be aware of the possible side effects and risks or complications.
If there is any change in your general health between now and your injection appointment, please contact us as we may not be able to give you the injection on that day
Things you need to know regarding your injection
Please ensure you eat something prior to your injection to reduce the risk of feeling unwell afterwards.
- Please stay in the waiting area 30 mins after your injection so you can be monitored for any signs of adverse or allergic reaction
- We advise you relatively rest the area for two to three days following the injection, then make a gradual return to activity in the first two to three weeks
- Keep the plaster on for 24 hours to help reduce the risk of infection
- If you develop any symptoms of infection or you begin to feel unwell after your injection your should attend the Accident and Emergency department immediately.
Having a steroid injection is generally a safe procedure and is a firmly established treatment for many musculoskeletal conditions.
The injection delivers steroid into a joint or soft tissue to help reduce pain, swelling and inflammation. Sometimes, a local anaesthetic (Lidocaine) is also injected.
In order to make an informed decision and give your consent, you need to be aware of the possible side effects and risks.
What are the risks?
Significant risks or complications that require immediate action
Infection: Signs include increased pain, redness, heat or swelling at injection site, feeling unwell or feverish. If you develop signs of an infection you should attend A&E immediately.
Allergic reaction (anaphylaxis): You will be asked to stay in the waiting area for 30 minutes after your injection appointment to make sure you feel well before leaving the department. If you feel unwell during this time, tell your injection therapist. If you feel dizzy, short of breath or develop a rash after you leave, call 999.
Other common side effects:
Post injection flare: temporarily increased pain at injection site lasting up to 3 days.
Facial flushing
Blood vessel, nerve or tendon injury
Local skin changes: thinning of skin or a change in skin colour at the injection site.
Eye symptoms: such as blurred vision or bright lights hurting your eyes. Tell your doctor or optician straight away.
Joint and soft tissue damage: repeated injections may cause harm.
Uterine bleeding or menstrual irregularities.
Diabetes:
- Steroids can cause a temporary rise in blood sugar levels
- This is not usually significant enough to cause harm, however if you have diabetes and your blood sugar is not well controlled, please inform your injection therapist
- After having the injection, you are advised to check your blood sugar levels more frequently.
Warfarin:
- Your International Normalised Ratio (INR), a blood test which measures how long it takes for blood to clot, must be checked within seven days before your appointment time
- Your INR must be within your therapeutic range
- There should be no changes to your medication. Please bring your yellow book with you as confirmation, or the injection cannot be given
- People on other blood thinning medication are ok to have an injection, but may bruise or bleed more easily.
Examples of situations where a steroid injection cannot be given
- If you have had, or are due to have, a live vaccination within two weeks of steroid injection
- If you have any medical procedures or surgery requiring general anaesthetic less than six weeks before or six weeks after the steroid injection
- If you are taking antibiotics or have an active infection, you will need to rearrange your appointment. You will need to delay your appointment until the full course of antibiotics is completed and symptoms have subsided
- If you are unwell, have a high temperature or flu-like symptoms.
Our patients matter
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust listens and responds to patients and their carers to help improve the services we deliver.
If you have any comments, compliments or concerns you can speak with a member of staff or contact our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) and Complaints Team
Telephone: 0151 471 2377
Freephone: 0800 328 2941
Email: palsandcomplaints@merseycare.nhs.uk
Alternative Formats
You can use the accessibility toolbar at the bottom of your screen to change the text size and colour contrast on this page.
There is a “translate” button in the Accessibility toolbar, at the bottom of this page, however, this tool is automated and may not be accurate.
Speak to a member of staff if you wish to request this page in Braille or have any other questions about accessibility.
You can use the “print this page” icon at the bottom of the page to save or print a PDF copy of this leaflet.
Approval date: 27 March 2026
Review date: 15 March 2028
Version number: 2