Concierge MSK · London
Private guided joint injection in London, by a consultant specialist.
Image-guided injections placed by a consultant — not felt-tip landmarking. A rehab plan comes with the injection, because the drug is only part of the fix.
Why patients choose us
- 01
Image-guided, every time
We book injections placed under ultrasound or fluoroscopy - not by felt-tip landmarking, which misses the joint more often than people realise.
- 02
Rehab comes with the drug
The injection buys a window. What you do in that window decides whether the problem comes back. A physio plan is arranged alongside.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private joint injection costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
An ultrasound-guided injection in our network: £500-£950, with the steroid effect starting in 3-7 days.
| Injection type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Time to effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steroid injection — small joint | £300–£600 | 20 min | Same visit |
| Steroid injection — large joint | £400–£800 | 30 min | Same visit |
| Ultrasound-guided injection | £500–£950 | 30–45 min | Same visit |
| Fluoroscopy-guided spinal injection | £900–£1,800 | 45–60 min | 2–3 days |
| Hyaluronic acid course (knee) | £800–£1,800 | 3–5 visits | Ongoing |
| PRP injection | £700–£1,500 | 45 min | 2–3 days |
Prices vary by clinic, by who places the injection, by the imaging guidance used, and by the drug - PRP and hyaluronic acid cost more than steroid. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
A landmark injection often misses. Image guidance doesn’t.
Studies of blind shoulder and small-joint injections show a surprising miss rate. Image guidance - ultrasound for soft tissue and small joints, fluoroscopy for the spine - confirms the needle is where the drug needs to go.
-
Frightened of the needle?
The skin is numbed first. Most people describe pressure and pushing rather than sharp pain.
-
Worried a steroid will harm?
Kept within safe limits per joint per year, steroid is well tolerated - but we plan the frequency carefully.
-
Sceptical of a quick fix?
You are right to be. The injection buys a pain-free window. Rehab in that window is what changes the trajectory.
The journey
From enquiry to rehab plan - what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to review - including the physio plan in between.
Phase 1 · Before your injection
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
~1 hour at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Rehab + review
- 01
Before
You tell us where it hurts
A short, confidential form. Symptoms, timeline, any imaging you have, and any medication - especially blood thinners.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: which injection, which specialist, indicative price. If an injection is not the right step, we say so.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Usually within a week. We review medication and diabetes control with the team and tell you exactly how to prepare.
- 04
On the day
Arrival at the clinic
Arrival and consent. The area is cleaned and numbed - the only sharp moment is that first small injection of local anaesthetic.
- 05
On the day
The injection itself
20-45 minutes. You are awake and comfortable, with the needle guided by ultrasound or fluoroscopy in real time.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
A short rest and home within the hour. Most people drive themselves, unless a spinal injection - then you need a lift.
- 07
After
Rehab, and review
Steroid effect starts within 3-7 days. A physio plan begins in the same window, and we review at 4-6 weeks to check the response.
Typical end-to-end: 1-2 weeks to injection, then 4-6 weeks of rehab before review.
When it helps
When a joint injection is the right next step.
Not every ache needs an injection. These are the situations where a well-placed one, alongside rehab, tends to earn its keep.
-
Knee osteoarthritis pain
Steroid, hyaluronic acid or PRP, guided by ultrasound for accurate placement.
-
Shoulder impingement / rotator cuff
Subacromial or intra-articular steroid, alongside a targeted physio plan.
-
Hip OA / trochanteric bursitis
Image-guided injection into the joint or the bursa - both are hard to hit blind.
-
Facet joint / nerve root injections
Fluoroscopy-guided spinal injections for back or leg pain from a specific level.
-
Carpal tunnel injection
Ultrasound-guided steroid to the carpal tunnel - buys time or delays surgery.
-
De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
A precise injection to the first extensor compartment of the wrist.
-
Base of thumb OA
A small-joint injection under ultrasound for the CMC joint of the thumb.
-
Red flag: hot swollen joint + fever
Do not book an injection - go to A&E the same day. Septic arthritis needs immediate assessment.
Injection types
Not all injections are the same.
What each option on your referral is actually for.
-
Steroid injection — small joint
Fingers, thumb base, wrist, foot - short-acting steroid in a small volume.
-
Steroid injection — large joint
Knee, shoulder, hip - longer-acting steroid, often with local anaesthetic.
-
Ultrasound-guided injection
Real-time imaging places the needle precisely - the accuracy standard for most soft-tissue and small-joint work.
-
Fluoroscopy-guided spinal injection
Live X-ray for facet joint, nerve root and epidural injections in the spine.
-
Hyaluronic acid course (knee)
A course of viscosupplementation for knee OA where steroid has worn off or is not suitable.
-
PRP injection
Platelet-rich plasma from your own blood, used for tendinopathy and early OA.
-
Barbotage (calcific tendinopathy)
Ultrasound-guided needling and lavage of calcium deposits, typically in the shoulder.
-
Diagnostic local-anaesthetic injection
A test injection to confirm which structure is generating the pain, before longer-term treatment.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of specialists, we picked them.
MSK radiologists and rheumatologists across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly - introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every specialist in our network.
-
Consultant MSK radiologists or rheumatologists performing the injection
-
Image guidance available on site - ultrasound or fluoroscopy, matched to the joint
-
Single-use sterile technique, drawn and injected in front of you
-
Same-day rehab referral to a physiotherapist who works with the specialist
Safety and eligibility
Safer, and simpler, than most people expect.
Joint injections are safe and usually straightforward. The things worth planning are blood-thinning medication, diabetes control, and how many injections you have had in the same joint already.
-
Post-injection soreness
Mild soreness for 24-48 hours is normal - ice and paracetamol usually handle it.
-
Steroid flare
A temporary "flare" of pain is possible in the first 24 hours as the crystals settle.
-
When it starts working
The steroid effect typically starts within 3-7 days and can last weeks to months.
-
How often is safe
Most guidelines suggest limiting steroid injections to around three per joint per year.
-
If you have diabetes
Blood glucose can rise for a few days after a steroid injection - worth monitoring more closely.
-
If you take blood thinners
Warfarin, DOACs and clopidogrel need a plan. Never stop them on your own - we coordinate it.
-
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
Injections are sometimes appropriate but need specialist advice - we route these to the right consultant.
-
Steroid is not a fix
The injection quiets the pain so you can rehab. What you do in that window is what changes the trajectory.
-
Red flags after an injection
Fever, spreading redness, or worsening pain after 48 hours needs urgent review - infection is rare but must be caught quickly.
Reading your report
An injection report is short. Read the last part first.
Whichever joint was injected, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The injection is only the start - the rehab plan is what makes it stick.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your physio starts, just ask.
- 01 Header
Joint and indication
Which joint was injected and the clinical question - for example "right knee OA, pain limiting walking".
- 02 Technique
Guidance, drug and dose
How the injection was placed (ultrasound or fluoroscopy), the drug used, the dose, and any local anaesthetic mixed with it.
- 03 Findings
What the imaging showed
A brief description of the ultrasound or fluoroscopy findings - joint effusion, tendon change, needle position confirmed intra-articular.
- 04 Impression
Response expected, and what next
Read this first. The expected response, the rehab plan agreed on the day, and when to review - typically 4-6 weeks.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Most policies cover MSK injections when clinically indicated; we confirm cover and pre-authorisation before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about joint injections.
Quick answers on pain, cost, blood thinners, diabetes and how often is safe.
-
What is a joint injection?
A precise injection of medication - usually steroid, hyaluronic acid or PRP - into or around a joint, tendon or bursa to reduce pain and inflammation. The best results come from image-guided placement rather than injecting by anatomical landmarks alone.
-
Does a joint injection hurt?
Less than most people expect. The skin is numbed with local anaesthetic first, so you feel pressure and pushing rather than sharp pain. Small joints - fingers, thumb base - can sting briefly at the moment of injection.
-
How often can I have a steroid injection?
Most guidelines suggest limiting steroid injections to around three per joint per year. Too many in the same joint can weaken tissue over time - so the aim is to use the injection to unlock rehab, not to repeat it indefinitely.
-
How much does a private joint injection cost in London?
A small-joint steroid injection is typically £300-£600, a large-joint £400-£800, and an ultrasound-guided injection £500-£950. Fluoroscopy-guided spinal injections are £900-£1,800. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
-
Do I need a GP referral?
No. Most of our network accepts self-referrals for MSK injections. If you have any imaging - an MRI or ultrasound report - send it with your enquiry; it usually speeds the decision.
-
Can I drive home after the injection?
After a small-joint or large-joint injection with local anaesthetic, most people drive themselves home. After a fluoroscopy-guided spinal injection you should have someone drive you.
-
I have diabetes - can I still have a steroid injection?
Yes, but be aware that blood glucose can rise for a few days afterwards. Monitor more closely for the first week and let your diabetes team know if control drifts.
-
I take blood thinners - what should I do?
Tell us what you take. Warfarin, DOACs and clopidogrel usually need a plan around the injection - and sometimes no change at all. Never stop them on your own; we coordinate it with the specialist.
-
Will I need physiotherapy afterwards?
Almost always. The injection buys a pain-free window; a rehab plan in that window is what changes the underlying problem. We arrange the physio referral alongside the injection.
-
When should I see a GP or A&E urgently after an injection?
A fever, spreading redness at the injection site, or pain that gets worse after 48 hours needs same-day review. Infection is rare, but has to be caught quickly.
Related tests
Looking for something else?
-
MSK ultrasound
The imaging that guides most soft-tissue and small-joint injections.
Learn more -
Knee MRI
Detailed look at cartilage, meniscus and ligaments before deciding on an injection.
Learn more -
Shoulder MRI
Rotator cuff, labrum and impingement - the map for a shoulder injection.
Learn more -
All tests
Browse the full menu of tests and procedures we arrange.
Learn more