Joint Injections

Persistent joint pain can be difficult to manage alone. It limits what you can do, how well you sleep, and how much energy you have for the things that matter. If you've been managing discomfort in your knee, hip, shoulder, or another joint and haven't found a treatment that works, a joint injection may be worth exploring.

Joint injections, or intra-articular injections, involve placing medication into or around a painful joint to help address inflammation and support pain management, as part of a wider care plan.

At Midland Health's private pain management clinic in Birmingham, you can be seen by a specialist without a GP referral and without a long wait. We'll take the time to understand your situation properly before anything is recommended.

How We Can Help

Targeted Relief, Delivered With Care

Joint injections involve administering medication directly into or around an affected joint to reduce pain and inflammation. They are a well-established, minimally invasive option that may be considered when other approaches, such as physiotherapy or oral pain relief, haven't provided sufficient benefit, or when a flare-up needs more direct intervention.

We know that the idea of an injection can feel daunting, so your clinician will discuss everything with you so you can make an informed decision.

At Midland Health, joint injections are carried out by Dr Arasu Rayen, a Consultant in Pain Management with over 20 years of experience. Where appropriate, ultrasound guidance is used to ensure accurate placement. This can improve precision and is something Dr Rayen is specially trained in.

Joints we treat include, but are not limited to:

• Knee: one of the most commonly injected joints, often for osteoarthritis or bursitis
• Hip: including the sacroiliac joint, which connects the spine to the pelvis
• Shoulder: for conditions such as rotator cuff inflammation, frozen shoulder, or bursitis
• Other joints: including the ankle, elbow, wrist, and facet joints of the spine

The type of medication used will depend on your diagnosis and circumstances. Options may include corticosteroids (sometimes called steroid injections or hydrocortisone injections), which reduce inflammation, or other intra-articular preparations discussed at your assessment.

Would I Benefit from a Joint Injection?

This treatment may be recommended to you if:

• You have ongoing pain in one or more joints that is affecting your daily life, sleep, or mobility
• You have a diagnosis of arthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, or sacroiliac joint dysfunction and are looking for targeted pain relief
• Oral pain relief or physiotherapy alone has not been sufficient to manage your symptoms
• You are experiencing a significant flare-up and need prompt support
• You would like an expert assessment to confirm whether a joint injection is appropriate for your situation
• You have had joint injections elsewhere but would like specialist-led care and ultrasound guidance going forward

Your appointment gives you time to talk through your pain, previous treatments and what you are hoping to understand. We will listen carefully before discussing whether a joint injection is suitable for you. 

You are welcome to bring any previous imaging, scan reports, or letters from other clinicians. These can be helpful, though they are not required. 

Joint Injections may not be inappropriate if:

• You have an active infection in or near the affected joint. Injections cannot be safely administered in this case, and treatment of the infection would need to come first
• You are experiencing sudden, severe, or rapidly worsening joint symptoms alongside fever, redness, and significant swelling. This may indicate an acute condition requiring urgent medical assessment
• Your joint pain is primarily connected to a nerve or spinal condition rather than the joint itself. In these cases, our neuropathic pain or neurology services may be more appropriate
• You are pregnant, or there are other medical circumstances that may affect whether a corticosteroid injection is suitable. This will be assessed carefully at your consultation

If you're unsure whether this is the right service, please call our team. We'll help point you in the right direction.

What to Expect at Your Appointment

A Calm, Step-by-Step Process

We want you to feel fully informed before anything takes place, so here is what to expect at a typical joint injection appointment with Midland Health.

Before your appointment

No GP referral is needed. You can book directly online or by phone. 

Our team will confirm your appointment details and let you know if there's anything useful to bring, such as previous X-rays, MRI scans, or a list of current medications.

Your consultation

Your doctor will begin with a careful assessment of your history and symptoms. We’ll discuss your diagnosis, any previous treatments, and what you're hoping to achieve. If a joint injection is considered appropriate, we'll explain exactly what will be involved, which medication may be used, and what to expect during and after the procedure.

The injection itself

If you're having the injection on the same day, you'll be made comfortable in a clinical treatment room. The skin over the joint will be cleaned, and a local anaesthetic may be applied first. Using ultrasound guidance where appropriate, your clinician will administer the injection with precision. The procedure typically takes only a few minutes.

Afterwards

You'll be observed briefly before leaving. Most people are able to travel home independently, though we recommend avoiding strenuous activity for 24–48 hours. You'll receive written aftercare guidance and know who to contact if you have any concerns.

Recovery and What To Expect Over Time

The timeframe and extent of any benefit from a joint injection course varies from person to person and depends on factors including the joint involved, the underlying condition, and the type of medication used. Some people notice improvement within a few days; for others it may take one to two weeks for the full effect to become apparent.

It's important to understand that joint injections are not a permanent solution for most conditions, and your specialist will discuss this with you. 

Where injections do provide meaningful relief, they can create a window in which physiotherapy, exercise, or other rehabilitation may become more achievable. This is often where the most lasting benefit comes from. If a course of injections is appropriate for your situation, this will be discussed and planned carefully.

Our Joint Injection Specialist

Pricing

Pricing can vary depending on the joint being assessed, the medication used and whether any imaging or onward referral is needed. We will explain costs clearly before arranging any treatment.

All fees are confirmed at the time of booking. We are recognised by major private medical insurers. Please check with your insurer prior to your appointment to confirm your level of cover.

Our Clinic

Our Francis Road Clinic is only a 15-minute walk from Five Ways train station, making us accessible by bus, tram, or train. If you're driving, patients can use the Broadway Plaza car park free of charge for up to 2 hours when their vehicle registration is validated at Midland Health reception.

Why Choose Midland Health for Joint Injections?

Choosing where to have a joint injection is about more than access. You need to feel confident that your symptoms will be assessed carefully and that treatment will only be recommended where it is appropriate.

We understand that ongoing pain can make decisions feel harder. Our approach is calm, direct and focused on helping you understand your options.

With Midland Health, you benefit from:

● No GP referral required, so you can book directly
● No waiting lists for private assessment
● Same-day or next-day appointments where available
● A private Birmingham clinic with specialist consultation rooms
● Assessment-led care with time to discuss your concerns
● Access to clinicians experienced in pain management and joint-related symptoms
● Clear pricing before treatment is arranged
● Support with onward referrals where another service is more appropriate

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Book Your Appointment

You don't need a GP referral to be seen. Appointments are available on short notice, and we'll do our best to find a time that suits you, including same-day or next-day appointments where availability allows.

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