After your injection

Right after the injection

If we used a local anaesthetic, the area may feel numb for a few hours, and part of the early pain relief comes from that. Take care with a numb joint until normal feeling returns. If you feel faint or unwell straight after, sit or lie down and let us know before you leave.

The first day or two

• Rest the joint or area and avoid hard or repetitive use for a day or two.
• An ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes can help soreness. Put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin.
• Simple pain relief such as acetaminophen is usually fine. Ask us if you are unsure.
• Avoid anti-inflammatory tablets (NSAIDs) for the first 24 hours unless your provider has told you otherwise.
• You can normally do light daily activities and gentle movement.
• Keep any small dressing on for a few hours, then keep the site clean and dry.

What is normal

• With a steroid injection, a short flare of increased pain for a day or two is common before it settles.
• Steroids can raise blood sugar for a few days. If you have diabetes, check your levels more often and treat as usual.
• A little bruising or tenderness at the injection site can happen.

When you should feel a difference

A steroid injection often starts to help within a few days. Viscosupplementation with Durolane usually works more slowly, building over a few weeks. Injections tend to work best when you pair them with exercise, weight management, or the therapy your team has suggested, rather than on their own.

Follow-up

We will let you know whether a review is needed and when. If your symptoms are not improving as expected, or they come back, contact the clinic so we can plan the next step.

Had a hip injection? Track your painRecord your hip pain from a few hours afterwards out to three months, and bring a printable summary to your next appointment→