Hip pain can affect every part of daily life – from the moment you get out of bed in the morning to the quality of your sleep at night. For patients who haven’t yet reached the point of needing surgery, or who are looking for effective relief while they consider their options, a cortisone injection can make a significant difference.
Mr Nirav Shah offers cortisone injections as part of a wider approach to managing hip pain. Here’s how they can help specifically with hip conditions – and what makes them a useful tool at various stages of the treatment journey.
What is a cortisone injection?
Cortisone is a corticosteroid – a powerful anti-inflammatory that, when injected directly into the hip joint, can reduce pain and swelling quickly and effectively. It works by targeting the inflammation that is often the root cause of the pain rather than simply masking it.
For hip injections specifically, Mr Shah administers the injection under X-ray guidance to ensure it’s positioned accurately within the joint.
What hip conditions can it help with?
Cortisone injections are used to treat a range of hip conditions, including:
Osteoarthritis. When the cartilage within the hip joint wears down, the resulting inflammation can cause significant pain and stiffness. A cortisone injection can help settle this and restore a more comfortable range of movement.
Hip bursitis. The bursae are small fluid-filled sacs that cushion the tendons and muscles around the hip. When they become inflamed – often due to overuse, injury or altered movement patterns – the pain can be severe and persistent. Cortisone is particularly effective for bursitis, often providing rapid relief.
Hip impingement (FAI). In patients with femoroacetabular impingement, inflammation can build up around the joint and labrum during movement. A cortisone injection can help manage this while other treatment options are explored.
Labral tears. An injection can reduce the inflammation associated with a labral tear and, usefully, can also help confirm that the hip is the true source of the pain – particularly where the diagnosis is uncertain.
Cortisone as a diagnostic tool
One aspect of cortisone injections that patients don’t always know about is their value in diagnosis. If an injection into the hip joint produces significant pain relief, this helps confirm that the hip is indeed where the problem originates – which can be particularly useful when symptoms are complex or have been attributed to another area, such as the lower back or groin.
For patients considering hip replacement surgery, this can be a helpful step in building a clearer picture before making any decisions.
How long does the relief last?
This varies from person to person and can differ even between injections in the same patient. Some experience relief for several weeks; others find the benefits last several months. There is no way to predict exactly how an individual will respond.
It’s worth being clear that cortisone doesn’t treat the underlying cause of hip pain – it reduces the inflammation around it. For conditions such as arthritis, the injection provides a window of relief rather than a permanent solution. That window can be genuinely valuable, however – giving patients the opportunity to engage more effectively with physiotherapy, make lifestyle changes or simply enjoy a better quality of life while longer-term options are considered.
Are there any risks?
As with any medical procedure, cortisone injections carry some risks, although serious complications are uncommon. Before treatment, Mr Shah will discuss the potential risks and benefits with you so that you can make an informed decision.
Possible risks include:
- A very small risk of infection
- Temporary stiffness or swelling around the hip joint
- A temporary increase in pain for a few days after the injection, which may affect mobility and occasionally require stronger pain relief
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT), where a blood clot develops in the leg
- Pulmonary embolism (PE), where a clot travels to the lungs
- Little or no improvement in symptoms
- Relief that is shorter-lived than expected
Medications to tell us about
It’s important to let Mr Shah know about all medications you are taking before your injection.
Some anti-viral medications can interact significantly with corticosteroids, including the steroid used in these injections (Triamcinolone). Providing an up-to-date list of your medications before your appointment allows any potential interactions to be identified in advance.
If you take blood-thinning medication, please let Mr Shah know before your procedure. Some anticoagulants may need to be stopped for a few days beforehand, although this will only ever be done following appropriate medical advice.
A helpful step in the right direction
For many patients, a cortisone injection provides meaningful relief at a time when it’s needed most. Used alongside physiotherapy and a clear management plan, it can be an effective part of a broader approach to hip pain – and for some patients, it’s all that’s needed for a considerable period of time.
Mr Nirav Shah is a consultant orthopaedic surgeon based in West Sussex with extensive experience in treating hip conditions at every stage. If you’re struggling with hip pain and would like to discuss whether a cortisone injection might help, he’d be happy to advise.
