Corticosteroid Joint Injections in Brighton
Rapid relief from joint pain, delivered safely by an experienced GP at Sundial Clinic Queens Road, Brighton.
If joint pain is stopping you from doing the things you enjoy like walking comfortably, exercising, sleeping well, or working without discomfort, a corticosteroid injection may help reduce inflammation and get you moving again.
At Sundial Clinics, corticosteroid injections are delivered by Dr Daniel Hammond, working alongside our chiropractic and physiotherapy team to provide integrated musculoskeletal (MSK) care.
For many patients, injections can provide rapid relief from inflammation, allowing you to progress with rehabilitation and return to normal activity sooner.
What Is a Corticosteroid Joint Injection?
A corticosteroid injection is a medical treatment that delivers powerful anti-inflammatory medication directly into a painful joint or soft tissue structure.
Inflammation is often the main cause of pain in conditions such as arthritis, bursitis, and tendon irritation. By placing the medication directly into the affected area, the injection can:
- Reduce inflammation
- Decrease swelling
- Relieve pain
- Improve movement and function
Because the treatment is delivered precisely where it is needed, it can be more effective than tablets alone for certain musculoskeletal conditions.
Why Choose GP-Led Injections?
At Sundial Clinics, injections are provided by an experienced GP, giving patients an additional level of clinical expertise and reassurance.
Benefits include:
- Medical diagnostic expertise
- A GP has extensive training in diagnosis and clinical assessment, helping ensure injections are only used when appropriate.
- Safety and medical oversight
- Your medical history, medications, and health conditions are carefully reviewed before treatment.
- Integrated care
Because the GP works alongside chiropractors and physiotherapists at the clinic, injections can be used as part of a coordinated treatment plan, not as a stand-alone intervention. If you are a Sundial patient already, then talk to your chiropractor or physio to see if an injection is right for you.
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Conditions Treated with Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroid injections may help reduce pain and inflammation in a number of common musculoskeletal conditions, including:
- Knee arthritis
Pain, swelling, and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis. - Shoulder arthritis
Inflammation in the shoulder joint that restricts movement and causes pain. - Frozen shoulder
- Rotator cuff shoulder pain
- Trigger finger
A condition where a finger becomes stuck or catches when bending or straightening. - Greater trochanteric pain syndrome
Pain on the outside of the hip caused by irritation of tendons or bursae.
Following a careful assessment, your clinician will advise whether an injection is likely to help your specific condition.
How Quickly Do Corticosteroid Injections Work?
Many patients begin to notice improvement within 24–72 hours, although for some it may take up to a week. Maximum benefit is often experienced within six weeks, as inflammation settles and movement improves.
The duration of relief varies between individuals but can last:
- Several weeks
- Several months
- Long enough to allow effective rehabilitation
Injections Are Most Effective as Part of a Treatment Plan
At Sundial Clinics, injections are rarely used in isolation.
They are most effective when combined with:
- Manual therapy, including chiropractic care
- Physiotherapy and targeted exercise
- Rehabilitation programmes to restore strength and movement
- Lifestyle advice to protect the joint
Reducing inflammation with an injection can often create a window of opportunity for rehabilitation, helping patients regain mobility and function.
What Happens During the Appointment?
Your visit typically involves three steps:
1. Assessment
You will first have a clinical assessment to confirm the diagnosis and determine whether an injection is appropriate.
2. The injection procedure
If suitable, the injection is administered directly into the affected area.
The procedure is usually quick and straightforward, taking only a few minutes.
3. Aftercare advice
You will receive guidance on:
- Activity levels following the injection
- When to restart exercise
- Any follow-up treatment that may help recovery
Most patients can return to normal activities the same day, although we usually recommend avoiding strenuous use of the area for about 48 hours.
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Are Corticosteroid Injections Safe?
When used appropriately and performed by trained professionals, corticosteroid injections are generally safe and well tolerated.
Possible side effects may include:
- Temporary discomfort at the injection site
- Mild swelling or irritation
- Facial flushing
- Skin thinning or colour change around the injection site
- Temporary increase in blood sugar in people with diabetes
Serious side effects are uncommon.
To protect joint tissues, most clinicians recommend no more than 3–4 injections per year in the same area.
Who Should Not Have a Corticosteroid Injection?
Injections may not be suitable for people who:
- Have an active infection
- Have uncontrolled diabetes
- Have certain bleeding disorders
- Have an allergy to steroid medication
There is a full list of contraindications to steroid injections here
Your medical history will always be reviewed carefully before treatment.
Could an Injection Help You?
For many patients, corticosteroid injections can:
- Provide meaningful pain relief
- Reduce inflammation
- Improve mobility
- Help avoid or delay surgery in some cases
- Enable progress with physiotherapy or chiropractic care
However, they are not a cure for every condition, and the best results occur when injections are part of a broader musculoskeletal treatment plan.
Book a Corticosteroid Injection Consultation
If joint pain is limiting your activity or not improving with initial treatment, a corticosteroid injection may be worth considering.
At Sundial Clinics, injections are delivered by Dr Daniel Hammond as part of our integrated musculoskeletal care service.
Book a consultation today to find out whether this treatment may be appropriate for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Are corticosteroids the same as anabolic steroids?
No. Corticosteroids are completely different medications. They are used medically to reduce inflammation and pain, not to build muscle or enhance athletic performance.
Is the injection painful?
Most patients feel a brief sting or pressure during the injection, but the procedure is generally quick and well tolerated.
How long do the effects last?
Relief can last from a few weeks to several months, depending on the condition and the individual response.
Can injections cure arthritis?
Injections do not cure arthritis, but they can reduce inflammation and pain, helping patients stay active and manage symptoms.
Can injections replace surgery?
In some cases they can delay or reduce the need for surgery, particularly in mild to moderate conditions. However, more severe structural problems may still require surgical treatment.
About Dr Daniel Hammond
GP with Special Interest in Musculoskeletal Pain and Joint Injections
A unique background in both medicine and musculoskeletal care.
Dr Daniel Hammond is an experienced GP with specialist expertise in musculoskeletal pain and joint injections. He qualified with a First-Class Honours degree from the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic in 2003 before practising as a chiropractor for six years. He then completed Graduate Medicine at the University of Birmingham, qualifying as a General Practitioner in 2015. This dual background gives Dr Hammond a valuable perspective—combining an understanding of movement, joints, and rehabilitation with evidence-based medical care.
Specialist experience in joint injections
Dr Hammond has been performing steroid joint injections since 2015 and undertakes regular postgraduate updates, most recently in London in 2025. Joint injections are one of the most rewarding parts of his clinical work and can be used to;
All injections are preceded by a thorough GP assessment to ensure they are safe and appropriate.
Trusted NHS GP and MSK lead
Alongside his private work, Dr Hammond works full-time NHS GP in Shoreham, where he is the Musculoskeletal Lead for his practice. He also supervises GP trainees, teaches at Brighton and Sussex Medical School and delivers online education to holistic therapists on safe clinical practice.
With a calm, patient-centred approach Dr Hammond believes strongly in shared decision-making. He takes time to explain options clearly, answer questions fully, and ensure patients feel confident about their treatment choices. He describes his aim as ‘helping you move better, with less pain, and return to the activities that matter to you’.
A new addition at Sundial
Dr Hammond joined the Sundial Clinic team in 2026, working closely with chiropractors and physiotherapists to provide joined-up, high-quality musculoskeletal care under one roof.
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