What is a shoulder injection?
A shoulder injection places medication exactly where the pain is coming from. The most common are:
- Subacromial injection: steroid (cortisone) into the bursa above the rotator cuff, for impingement and bursitis
- Shoulder joint injection: steroid into the main joint, for arthritis or a painful frozen shoulder
- Hydrodilatation: fluid that stretches the capsule in frozen shoulder
- PRP: platelets from your own blood for tendon problems
What is a subacromial injection?
A subacromial injection places steroid and local anaesthetic into the subacromial bursa, the fluid-filled sac between the rotator cuff and the bone at the top of the shoulder. It is the most common shoulder injection, used for impingement, bursitis and rotator cuff pain. Under ultrasound, your consultant sees the needle enter the bursa itself.
Do shoulder injections work?
For the right problem, yes. A steroid injection often eases impingement and bursitis pain within days and can give weeks to months of relief, which is the window to make progress with physiotherapy. Injections work best when the diagnosis is right, which is why every one here starts with a scan.
Do shoulder injections hurt?
Most people find them much easier than expected. Local anaesthetic numbs the skin, so you feel a small sting, then pressure. Hydrodilatation causes a feeling of fullness in the joint while the fluid goes in. The shoulder may ache for a day or two afterwards.
How long does a shoulder steroid injection take to work?
The local anaesthetic can ease pain within minutes, then wears off after a few hours. The steroid usually starts working within two to five days, with the full effect at around two weeks.
How long does a shoulder injection last?
A steroid injection typically helps for several weeks to a few months, and for some people the pain does not come back, especially if they keep up their exercises. PRP builds over several weeks, and hydrodilatation gives the best result when followed by a home exercise programme.
What is the best injection for a frozen shoulder?
In the painful early stage, a steroid injection into the joint can ease pain. Once the shoulder is stiff, hydrodilatation is usually more effective: fluid stretches the tight capsule to help movement return. Both are followed by exercises. Your consultant confirms the diagnosis on the scan first, as other problems can mimic frozen shoulder.
What is hydrodilatation for frozen shoulder?
Hydrodilatation is an ultrasound-guided injection of sterile saline, local anaesthetic and a small amount of steroid into the shoulder joint. The volume of fluid gently stretches the thickened, tight capsule that causes frozen shoulder, easing pain and helping movement return. It takes around 20 to 40 minutes, and you do your exercises from the same day.
Can a steroid injection make shoulder pain worse?
Some people have a flare of pain for 24 to 48 hours as the local anaesthetic wears off, which settles with rest, ice and paracetamol. If the shoulder becomes hot, red and increasingly painful, or you develop a fever, call us the same day, as this can rarely be an infection.
How often can I have a steroid injection in my shoulder?
Usually no more than three or four a year in the same shoulder, spaced at least six to twelve weeks apart. If an injection only helps for a short time, your consultant looks again at the cause and discusses other options, such as PRP, physiotherapy or a surgical opinion.
What should I do after a shoulder injection?
Use the arm gently for normal daily tasks, but avoid heavy lifting, overhead work and the gym for 48 hours. Then build up gradually and start any exercises you have been given. A cold pack and paracetamol help with soreness.
How much does a shoulder injection cost?
At Harley Street Ultrasound a steroid shoulder injection or subacromial injection is £525, a PRP shoulder injection £545, barbotage £625 and hydrodilatation for frozen shoulder £645, all fees inclusive: the consultant assessment, diagnostic ultrasound, the guided injection and your written report.
What happens if I don’t need an injection?
We will never give you an injection you do not need. Every appointment starts with a diagnostic ultrasound of your shoulder, and if your consultant decides an injection is not the right treatment, it simply does not go ahead. You are charged our standard diagnostic ultrasound rate, not the treatment price.
You still leave with a clear plan: physiotherapy, a different treatment, an MRI, or a referral to the right specialist, with your report and images on your secure portal.
Do I need a referral?
No. Harley Street Ultrasound is a private clinic, so you can book an ultrasound-guided shoulder injection in London directly, online or by phone: no GP letter and no waiting list. If you are searching for shoulder injections near me in central London, we are at 99 Harley Street, a short walk from Regent’s Park and Oxford Circus stations.
Prices are published before you book and are all fees inclusive: the consultant assessment, the diagnostic ultrasound, the guided injection, local anaesthetic and your written report. Insured patients should check with their insurer and bring an authorisation number if their policy requires one.
Will I get a report?
Yes. Your consultant explains the scan findings and the treatment in the room, and a written report with your images is published to your secure patient portal, usually the same day, ready to share with your GP, physiotherapist or surgeon.
Can I drive home afterwards?
Usually, yes: there is no sedation or general anaesthetic. The local anaesthetic can leave the area numb for a few hours, so if the injection is in your right leg or foot, or the joint feels weak, it is sensible to arrange a lift or take public transport.
Can I still use the NHS afterwards?
Yes: completely. Coming to us privately never affects your NHS care. Your report and images can be shared with your NHS GP or consultant, and if anything needs onward NHS care, your consultant writes to your GP so you re-enter the pathway with a diagnosis already in hand.
