Concierge MSK · London
Private shoulder cortisone injection in London, ultrasound-guided, by a consultant.
Consultant-placed and ultrasound-guided — for impingement, frozen shoulder, AC joint OA and calcific tendinopathy. Physio comes with the injection.
Why patients choose us
- 01
Ultrasound-guided, every time
We book injections placed under ultrasound by a consultant MSK radiologist or shoulder surgeon — not by felt-tip landmarking, which misses the subacromial space more often than people realise.
- 02
Physio comes with the drug
The injection buys a window. What you do in that window decides whether the shoulder settles. A physiotherapy plan is arranged within 48–72 hours.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private shoulder cortisone 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
A subacromial 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Subacromial ultrasound-guided injection | £500–£950 | 30 min | Same visit |
| Glenohumeral (frozen shoulder) injection | £600–£1,100 | 30 min | Same visit |
| AC joint injection | £500–£950 | 30 min | Same visit |
| Long head of biceps injection | £500–£950 | 30 min | Same visit |
| Barbotage for calcific tendinopathy | £700–£1,400 | 45 min | Same visit |
| Shoulder injection + MSK physio bundle | £700–£1,400 | Half-day | Same visit |
Prices vary by clinic, by who places the injection, and by the compartment injected — barbotage and physio bundles cost more than a simple subacromial injection. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
A landmark shoulder injection often misses. Ultrasound doesn’t.
Studies of blind subacromial and AC joint injections show a surprising miss rate. Ultrasound confirms the needle is in the right compartment — and lets the operator see the drug flow into it.
-
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 shoulder 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 physio 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
Physio + 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
20–30 minutes. You are awake and comfortable, with the needle guided by ultrasound in real time into the subacromial space or the joint.
- 06
On the day
Home the same day
A short rest and home within the hour. Avoid driving for two hours after the local anaesthetic wears in and out.
- 07
After
Rehab, and review
Steroid effect starts within 3–7 days. A physio plan begins within 48–72 hours, 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 physio before review.
When it helps
When a shoulder cortisone injection is the right next step.
Not every shoulder ache needs an injection. These are the situations where a well-placed one, alongside physio, tends to earn its keep.
-
Subacromial impingement
Ultrasound-guided steroid into the subacromial bursa, alongside a rotator-cuff physio plan.
-
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis)
Glenohumeral steroid injection in the painful, freezing phase — often the fastest way to unlock rehab.
-
AC joint OA
A small-volume steroid into the acromioclavicular joint under ultrasound — precise and short.
-
Calcific tendinopathy
Barbotage — ultrasound-guided needling and lavage of the calcium deposit, followed by a steroid.
-
Bicipital tendinopathy
Steroid to the long head of biceps sheath under ultrasound — targeted, not intra-tendinous.
-
Rotator-cuff pain (non-surgical)
For partial-thickness tears and tendinopathy, when surgery isn’t on the table yet.
-
Glenohumeral OA
Intra-articular steroid for painful shoulder OA, buying a window for strengthening work.
-
Red flag: hot swollen joint with fever
Do not book an injection — same-day A&E. A septic joint needs immediate assessment.
Injection types
Not all shoulder injections are the same.
What each option on your referral is actually for.
-
Subacromial
Steroid into the subacromial bursa for impingement and cuff-related pain — the most common shoulder injection.
-
Glenohumeral
Intra-articular injection for frozen shoulder and glenohumeral OA, placed under ultrasound into the joint itself.
-
AC joint
A small-volume injection into the acromioclavicular joint for AC OA and post-traumatic pain.
-
Long head of biceps
Steroid around the long head of biceps tendon sheath for bicipital tendinopathy.
-
Barbotage
Ultrasound-guided needling and lavage of calcium deposits in calcific tendinopathy, typically supraspinatus.
-
Injection + physio bundle
The injection combined with a booked MSK physiotherapy programme starting within 48–72 hours.
-
Post-surgical injection
For residual pain after rotator-cuff repair or subacromial decompression, coordinated with the surgeon.
-
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 shoulder surgeons 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 shoulder surgeons performing the injection
-
Ultrasound guidance standard for every shoulder injection in our network
-
Single-use sterile technique, drawn and injected in front of you
-
Physiotherapy programme booked to start within 48–72 hours of the injection
Safety and eligibility
Safer, and simpler, than most people expect.
Shoulder cortisone 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 shoulder already.
-
Post-injection flare
A temporary flare of pain is possible in the first 24 hours — around 1 in 10 patients — as the steroid crystals settle.
-
Driving after the injection
Avoid driving for 2 hours post-procedure while the local anaesthetic wears in and out.
-
Blood thinners
Warfarin, DOACs and clopidogrel need planning around the injection. Never stop them on your own; we coordinate it.
-
If you have diabetes
Blood glucose can rise for 24–48 hours after a steroid injection — worth monitoring more closely.
-
How often is safe
Guidance suggests limiting steroid injections to roughly 3–4 per shoulder per year.
-
Physio matters
Injection alone rarely fixes rotator-cuff pain. The rehab plan is what changes the trajectory.
-
Sleeping position
Sleep on the opposite side for 48 hours to keep pressure off the injected shoulder.
-
Pregnancy
Pregnancy usually defers the procedure — we route these to the right consultant for individualised advice.
-
Bring your prior imaging
Always share prior MRI or ultrasound — it changes the target, the drug, and sometimes the decision to inject.
Reading your report
An injection report is short. Read the last part first.
Whichever compartment of the shoulder was injected, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The injection is only the start — the physio plan is what makes it stick.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your physio starts, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and prior imaging
Which shoulder, the clinical question, and the imaging that informed the plan — for example "right subacromial impingement, MRI 2026‑06".
- 02 Technique
Target, drug and dose
Where the needle was placed (subacromial, glenohumeral, AC joint, biceps sheath), the drug used, the dose, and any local anaesthetic mixed with it.
- 03 Findings
Ultrasound confirmation and flow
A brief description of the ultrasound findings — bursal distension, cuff appearance — and confirmation of free flow into the target compartment.
- 04 Impression
Response expected and next steps
Read this first. The response expected, the physio plan agreed on the day, and when to review — typically 4–6 weeks.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Most policies cover shoulder cortisone injections when clinically indicated; we confirm cover and pre-authorisation before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about shoulder cortisone injections.
Quick answers on pain relief, cost, driving, diabetes and how often is safe.
-
What does a shoulder cortisone injection actually do?
It delivers a small dose of steroid — usually with a little local anaesthetic — into the subacromial bursa, the joint, or around a tendon, to calm inflammation and pain. Under ultrasound the needle is placed precisely, so the drug reaches the structure that is actually causing the pain.
-
How well does it work for frozen shoulder?
For the painful, freezing phase of adhesive capsulitis, an ultrasound-guided glenohumeral steroid injection is often the fastest way to reduce pain enough to begin stretching work. It doesn’t cure frozen shoulder, but it usually shortens the miserable phase and lets rehab progress.
-
When will the pain relief start?
The local anaesthetic gives a few hours of relief on the day. The steroid effect typically starts within 3–7 days and can last weeks to months, depending on the diagnosis and how well the rehab window is used.
-
Can I drive home after the injection?
You should avoid driving for 2 hours post-procedure while the local anaesthetic wears in and out. After that, most people are safe to drive.
-
I have diabetes — can I still have a steroid injection?
Yes, but be aware that blood glucose can rise for 24–48 hours afterwards. Monitor more closely for the first week and let your diabetes team know if control drifts.
-
How much does a private shoulder cortisone injection cost in London?
A subacromial or AC joint ultrasound-guided injection is typically £500–£950, a glenohumeral injection £600–£1,100, and barbotage for calcific tendinopathy £700–£1,400. A shoulder injection plus MSK physio bundle is £700–£1,400. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
-
Do I need a GP referral?
No. Most of our network accepts self-referrals for shoulder injections. If you have any prior imaging — an MRI or ultrasound report — send it with your enquiry; it usually speeds the decision.
-
How many cortisone injections can I have in the same shoulder?
Guidance suggests limiting steroid injections to roughly 3–4 per shoulder per year. Too many in the same shoulder can weaken tissue over time — so the aim is to use the injection to unlock rehab, not to repeat it indefinitely.
-
Will I need physiotherapy afterwards?
Almost always. Injection alone rarely fixes rotator-cuff pain. We book an MSK physiotherapy programme to start within 48–72 hours of the injection, so you use the pain-free window while it lasts.
-
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. A hot, swollen joint with fever means going straight to A&E — septic arthritis is rare but must be caught quickly.
Related tests
Looking for something else?
-
Joint injection
The broader menu — knee, hip, spine and hand injections.
Learn more -
Shoulder MRI
Rotator cuff, labrum and impingement — the map before an injection.
Learn more -
MSK ultrasound
The imaging that guides every shoulder injection in our network.
Learn more -
All tests
Browse the full menu of tests and procedures we arrange.
Learn more