How are they administered?
We use imaging guidance for all injections, either ultrasound or CT. We can see exactly where the needle is
going, and make sure the medicine goes exactly where it needs to
How long do they take to work?
The anaesthetic we inject will work immediately, and depending on the type can last 3-12 hours. The steroid can
take between 2 days and 2 weeks to work. So you may find that you feel good immediately after the injection,
then the next day feel sore (as the anaesthetic has worn off and the steroid hasn't started working yet), and
then gradually start to feel better over the next few days.
How long do they last?
As a general rule they last on average from 3-6 months. For some injections however, your pain may never
come back. If you have a lot of damage in the area, or are doing something that keeps inflaming the area,
your pain will recur faster.
Do they hurt?
We do everything we can to minimise the pain of the injection, and for most injections they aren't much worse
than a blood test.
How do the injections work?
Steroids work by reducing your immune response, which reduces inflammation and pain.
Do they always work?
Most people do get relief with the injections, however not everyone does.
Why might the injection not work?
There are a number of reasons an injection may not be successful in relieving your pain. Firstly, sometimes
there is so much inflammation that a single injection may not be powerful enough. It's also possible that even
though the steroid is working, that there is something else causing the area to remain inflammed. This could
be some activity you are doing, or a repeated injury, bad shoes, etc. Despite advanced imaging and other
tests, it may be that the area we inject is not the one causing your pain. If you have pain in your leg for
example, that can come from your lower back, hip, trochanteric bursa, knee or ankle. Finally, it's possible that
there is more than one area causing your pain, so even though the steroid has worked successfully in the
area we inject, there may be somewhere else also contributing to the pain you feel.
What are the main risks?
The main risks of a general steroid injection include a small risk of bleeding and infection, similar to having a
blood test. There is a chance that the injection may not work. With any needle there is a very small chance of
damage to adjacent structures, which is minimised by the use of imaging. This is most relevent if we are doing
a nerve injection (ie, carpal tunnel, ulnar nerve, lower back). If you have diabetes your blood sugar level may
go up for a few days. Rarely people can experience facial flushing, increased alertness, or a transient increase
in blood pressure. There is a risk that the adjacent structures such as tendons will be transiently weaker for the
first few days. The risk of an allergic reaction is extremely rare (these are usually treated by steroids anyway).
Are there any long term side effects?
If you have a lot of steroid injections (generally more than 4-6 a year) then there is a small risk that the steroid
can increase your blood pressure, or reduce your bone density. This is still much lower than people who take
steroid tablets regularly. While we do try to limit the number of injections, if you are in significant pain, that can
cause many other problems for your health, which may be worse than the small risk of side effects from a
steroid injection.
How long does the procedure take?
For most injections the actual procedure is fast, less than 1 minute. You will be in the room for longer than this
as we go through the procedure with you. If you are having an injection using CT (joint injection, lower back
injection) then the actual procedure takes around 5-10 minutes.
Do you use anaesthetic?
We use anaesthetic for almost all of our injections, especially sensitive areas like the hands, feet or back. For
areas that are less sensitive and the injection is quick we generally don't.
Do I need to book?
Yes, all injections need a booking.
Do I need imaging before my injection?
Yes. We require recent imaging of the area to make sure that we are injecting the correct area, and to make
sure that there isn't some other cause for your pain that we are missing. Depending on the type of injection
this will be a recent imaging study in the last 3 months to 2 years.
What do I need to bring?
You should bring your recent imaging of the area with you, as well as your referral and Medicare card.
Is there any preparation?
No. You should take your normal medications. You do not need to fast.
How long should I wait between injections?
As a general rule, the side effects of the steroid elsewhere in the body will be most pronounced in the first 2-3
days. For this reason we advise at least 3 days between injections to minimise this. If we are injecting the same
area, we advise 2 weeks, as it can take this long for the injection to work.
Can I drive home afterwards?
For almost all injections yes. For some lower back injections you will require a driver. This is because you may
have some transient numbness or weakness which makes you unsafe to drive.
Do you bulk bill?
Yes, we bulk bill all studies if you have a Medicare card.
What is the cost for private patients?
This depends on the study, so please call us and we can give you a quote over the phone.
Where can I get more information?
For more information on steroid injections https://www.insideradiology.com.au/for-health-
professionals/treatments/
What should I do after the procedure?
You should rest the area for 2 days after the procedure. This will avoid the risk of any damage due to transient
weakening, as well as reduce the risk of bleeding. This will also improve the outcome by giving the area a
chance to rest and resolve the inflammation. After the first few days you should resume normal activity gently.
Copyright 2021 Clearview Medical Imaging
STEROID INJECTIONS
AT CLEARVIEW WE AIM TO MAKE
STERIOD INJECTIONS AS EASY
AND PAINLESS AS POSSIBLE.
A steroid injection is used to reduce pain and inflammation in
an area to improve your symptoms. We perform a wide range
of injections, throughout the body. All injections are done
using imaging guidance by an experienced Radiologist (a
medical doctor specialising in imaging).
A Carlisle Health Clinic
How are they administered?
We use imaging guidance for all injections,
either ultrasound or CT. We can see exactly
where the needle is going, and make sure the
medicine goes exactly where it needs to.
How long do they take to work?
The anaesthetic we inject will work
immediately, and depending on the type can
last 3-12 hours. The steroid can take between 2
days and 2 weeks to work. So you may find that
you feel good immediately after the injection,
then the next day feel sore (as the anaesthetic
has worn off and the steroid hasn't started
working yet), and then gradually start to feel
better over the next few days.
How do the injections work?
Steroids work by reducing your immune
response, which reduces inflammation and
pain.
Do they always work?
Most people do get relief with the injections,
however not everyone does.
Why might the injection not work?
There are a number of reasons an injection may
not be successful in relieving your pain. Firstly,
sometimes there is so much inflammation that
a single injection may not be powerful enough.
It's also possible that even though the steroid is
working, that there is something else causing
the area to remain inflammed. This could be
some activity you are doing, or a repeated
injury, bad shoes, etc. Despite advanced
imaging and other tests, it may be that the area
we inject is not the one causing your pain. If you
have pain in your leg for example, that can
come from your lower back, hip, trochanteric
bursa, knee or ankle. Finally, it's possible that
there is more than one area causing your pain,
so even though the steroid has worked
successfully in the area we inject, there may be
somewhere else also contributing to the pain
you feel.
Where can I get more information?
For more information on steroid injections
https://www.insideradiology.com.au/for-
health-professionals/treatments/
Do you bulk bill?
Yes, we bulk bill all studies if you have a
Medicare card.
How long should I wait between injections?
As a general rule, the side effects of the steroid
elsewhere in the body will be most pronounced
in the first 2-3 days. For this reason we advise at
least 3 days between injections to minimise this.
If we are injecting the same area, we advise 2
weeks, as it can take this long for the injection to
work.
Can I drive home afterwards?
For almost all injections yes. For some lower
back injections you will require a driver. This is
because you may have some transient
numbness or weakness which makes you
unsafe to drive.
Is there any preparation?
No. You should take your normal medications.
You do not need to fast.
What do I need to bring?
You should bring your recent imaging of the
area with you, as well as your referral and
Medicare card.
Do I need imaging before my injection?
Yes. We require recent imaging of the area to
make sure that we are injecting the correct area,
and to make sure that there isn't some other
cause for your pain that we are missing.
Depending on the type of injection this will be a
recent imaging study in the last 3 months to 2
years.
What should I do after the procedure?
You should rest the area for 2 days after the
procedure. This will avoid the risk of any
damage due to transient weakening, as well as
reduce the risk of bleeding. This will also
improve the outcome by giving the area a
chance to rest and resolve the inflammation.
After the first few days you should resume
normal activity gently.
What are the main risks?
The main risks of a general steroid injection
include a small risk of bleeding and infection,
similar to having a blood test. There is a chance
that the injection may not work. With any needle
there is a very small chance of damage to
adjacent structures, which is minimised by the
use of imaging. This is most relevent if we are
doing a nerve injection (ie, carpal tunnel, ulnar
nerve, lower back). If you have diabetes your
blood sugar level may go up for a few days.
Rarely people can experience facial flushing,
increased alertness, or a transient increase in
blood pressure. There is a risk that the adjacent
structures such as tendons will be transiently
weaker for the first few days. The risk of an
allergic reaction is extremely rare (these are
usually treated by steroids anyway).
What is the cost for private patients?
This depends on the study, so please call us and
we can give you a quote over the phone.
Are there any long term side effects?
If you have a lot of steroid injections (generally
more than 4-6 a year) then there is a small risk
that the steroid can increase your blood
pressure, or reduce your bone density. This is
still much lower than people who take steroid
tablets regularly. While we do try to limit the
number of injections, if you are in significant
pain, that can cause many other problems for
your health, which may be worse than the small
risk of side effects from a steroid injection.
How long do they last?
As a general rule they last on average from 3-6
months. For some injections however, your pain
may never come back. If you have a lot of
damage in the area, or are doing something
that keeps inflaming the area, your pain will
recur faster.
Do they hurt?
We do everything we can to minimise the pain
of the injection, and for most injections they
aren't much worse than a blood test.
How long does the procedure take?
For most injections the actual procedure is fast,
less than 1 minute. You will be in the room for
longer than this as we go through the procedure
with you. If you are having an injection using CT
(joint injection, lower back injection) then the
actual procedure takes around 5-10 minutes.
Do you use anaesthetic?
We use anaesthetic for almost all of our
injections, especially sensitive areas like the
hands, feet or back. For areas that are less
sensitive and the injection is quick we generally
don't.
Do I need to book?
Yes, all injections need a booking.
Copyright 2021 Clearview Medical Imaging
STEROID
INJECTIONS
AT CLEARVIEW WE AIM
TO MAKE STERIOD
INJECTIONS AS EASY
AND PAINLESS AS
POSSIBLE.
A steroid injection is used to reduce pain and
inflammation in an area to improve your
symptoms. We perform a wide range of
injections, throughout the body. All injections
are done using imaging guidance by an
experienced Radiologist (a medical doctor
specialising in imaging).
A Carlisle Health Clinic
