

What Is a corticosteroid Injection?
A corticosteroid injection or cortisone shot is an anti-inflammatory medicine, which can be injected directly into the tissues and joints that are causing your pain symptoms. Cortisone injections are generally safer than being on long term steroid tablets, which are 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. Furthermore, it acts directly in the area injected and is not the same as the steroids taken by bodybuilders or athletes.
What Are The Benefits of steroid injections?
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.
What Are The Risks of a cortisone shot?
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.
Speak to our specialist about cortisone injections
Let's find the source of the pain
Genuine Patient Reviews

Immediately after the cortisone injection I felt better next day I took the flight to sharm a year on I feel great never had any issue with the leg
Thanks to Robert Mast
Neil Coker
Well the difference was night and day there was a almost an instantaneous change, I had been told that after the initial pain killer wore off that it might take up to 7 Days for it to start working but I found it more bearable from the next day and by the time I flew to Florida 5 days later I was walking but with stiffness and some night time pain on resting, by 10 days I was walking and swimming with some pain but nothing anywhere like it was, now a month after the initial injection there is barely any pain unless I get it cold and then I can still walk and the pain is bearable.
It was the best money I have ever spent and Rob was professional, extremely knowledgeable and made me feel at ease from the first moment we meet.
Procedure went very well
Took no time at all
I will go back to Rob in future as necessary
Thank you
Met with Rob again after two years at his Hertford clinic for a guided Steroid injection into my shoulder that was painful after a fall. The procedure went very well and my shoulder is back to normal.
Just like the last time he administered an ultrasound guided injection. I limped into the clinic in terrible pain and once he administered the injection all my pain disappeared. No limping and did not need to hold onto my son’s arm.
Rob takes time to listen and then explains the procedure, so helpful.
Thank you Rob.
Went through the whole procedure in clinic with me
Had physio with Nicola after, who i cant not fault
I get odd pain now again in my shoulder when its cold and damp
Thanks Rob, for you kind help and i would use u again and practice
thanks
Claire
The results of the treatment have been exceptional. I can move freely and in complete comfort and my wife says there is no longer any sign of a limp or uneven gait. The moments of sharp pain I would typically experience two ot three times a day have been completely absent and I no longer find myself tensing in anticipation before standing from sitting, approaching stairs, or turning over in bed.
Highly recommend Rob as a specialist in this area.
Rob was able to see my wife at a couple of days notice, and following a physical examination and an Ultrasound scan, identified the problem as subacromial bursitis, which would benefit from an Ultrasound guided cortisone injection.
The "3 stage" process all took place within the same appointment ( a major plus) and was completed in under an hour and at a very reasonable cost.
Within a week, my wife experienced a major improvement in her condition, and is now back to normal after less than 4 weeks.
A full clinical report, together with the Ultrasound photos were received a week or so later, as well as a copy being forwarded to our GP with her agreement.
Based on our experience, we would highly recommend Rob to anyone who feels his expertise would be beneficial.
We all know when we are injured we want things sorted right away & I was extremely happy that he squeezed me in for an appointment the following Thursday.
At the appointment he explained everything as we went along & hopefully now with the steroid injection I can move forward.
Nick Tokely
Robert Mast at Sonoscope kindly saw my mother with a few days of making the appointment . Excellent service and superb bedside manners. Made my mother feel at easy and the steroid injection administered under Ultrasound worked brilliantly. Literally the next day my mother started to feel the benefits of the treatment. I would highly recommend Robert and his clinic to anyone needing help with pain relief.
Very honest and very well priced .
I certainly will reccomend him
Rob is great, explains everything clearly. My nan is very happy. She only got one knee done. Now she’s saying She wants to go back to see Rob to do her other knee. Friendly, informative and efficient service. We’d highly recommend. Great service.
He kept me informed and explained the procedure step by step, happy to answer my never-ending questions.
This helped immensely as it was the 1st time having this treatment and therefore was pretty nervous. Robs friendliness and reassurance kept me calm and would highly recommend him.
Condition and outcome explained in a simple but comprehensive way. Empathetic practitioner.
Would highly recommend.
The ultrasound guided injection was carried out in a professional reassuring manner. Thank you
Rob is friendly and professional. He explains everything to you, in terminology that you understand which is super helpful.
Marilyn Cunningham
26 March 2022
Brilliant service and a very kind considerate practice.
We would have no hesitation in recommending Rob, a true professional and my mothers shoulder is at long last free from pain.
I attended for injection into the glenohumeral joint for frozen shoulder (6 months since onset) but because I was experiencing extreme pain at a different part of my shoulder (2 days since onset) he took the trouble to understand this new event and offer the cortisone injection in a different location. This injection alleviated the pain and I was able to return two weeks later for the planned frozen shoulder injection.
I was a bit nervous before going in, but the lovely and friendly receptionist soon cheered me up.
Rob was friendly , calm and very professional.
He explained everything and showed me the procedure while showing me the area going to be treated on the ultrasound screen step by step.
I highly recommend Rob and would certainly go back if I should require further treatment
Rob is very professional and takes the time to explain what he is looking at on the ultrasound and what he is doing to do and why.
I would certainly recommend.




I was seen at the booked time by very pleasant professionals.
The injection was swiftly and professionally administered.
12 hours later the pain is very very much reduced and I am hoping for no pain after 24 hours





I then had an injection at Sonoscope. The ultrasound guided injection was done by Rob who clearly knew his stuff and explained the injection in detail. He made me feel at ease. The injection was almost painless and exactly into the bursa. Within a week I was pain free! This allowed me to progress further with exercises. He would highly recommend his services !
(Bob)
Which Medicines 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.

What happens during the cortisone shot treatments?
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.
Is the cortisone injection painful?
The cortisone 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.
Our Therapies

Meet Rob - Our Specialist Physiotherapist/ Sonographer
Rob is a specialist Extended Scope Physiotherapist with more than 20 years experience in managing complex musculoskeletal conditions.
He uses diagnostic ultrasound as an extension of his clinical skills. He is an interventional sonographer in a busy radiology department of a central London Foundation Trust Hospital .
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Cortisone Injection Near me
If you are looking for a cortisone injection nearby, Sonoscope offers ultrasound-guided cortisone injections from two clinic locations in Hertfordshire, so you are never far away from a cortisone injection clinic.
How much does a steroid injection cost privately?
At Sonoscope, ultrasound-guided steroid injections cost £225.
What’s the main difference between a steroid injection and a hyaluronic acid injection?
One major difference between a steroid injection and a hyaluronic acid injection is that hyaluronic acid injections help to replenish and nourish the joint and maybe even able to slow down the progression of osteoarthritis.
Cortisone Injection treatment for pain and arthritis.
Do you suffer with pain? A corticosteroid injections can help relieve pain and improve your mobility and arthritis symptoms.
