Steroid and cortisone injections for pain are becoming an increasingly popular treatment. In London, England, the National Health Service is under strain and wait times are increasingly long. As a result, many people are preferring to pay for their own treatment, and looking for a London cortisone injection clinic. In this article we’ll examine what these treatments entail, and why the popularity of private clinics is on the rise.
What Is a Cortisone Injection?
A cortisone injection, known medically as a corticosteroid injection, involves the injection of a steroid compound directly into the body. Typically this is used to relieve musculoskeletal pain caused by pulled muscles, tendonitis and similar problems. It is generally used where more conservative treatment, such as physiotherapy, has failed to produce results.
The administration of a cortisone injection offers several benefits. Its primary effect is to rapidly and significantly reduce both pain and inflammation. This can lead to increased mobility for the patient and, most notably, a respite from their pain. Although the injection has no direct therapeutic benefit and does not treat the underlying cause of the pain, the welcome break from symptoms can allow the body’s natural healing mechanisms to function more effectively. The increase in mobility means the patient may also be able to begin following a physical therapy treatment and rehabilitation plan, where pain and inflammation previously made it impossible for them to do so.
Adding value to London cortisone injection services
The location of the injection is crucial, as injecting the steroid compound directly into the affected area will cause it to have maximum benefits. Ultrasound can be used to pinpoint the injection site even under the surface of the skin, so its use maximizes the benefit of the steroid injection.
In an affluent capital city such as London, the addition of ultrasound into the injection procedure adds value to the service as well as being of clinical benefit. Generally, patients will prefer to pay more for the best procedure they can get, in order to get maximum benefit and relief from pain. Ultrasound guidance is therefore an important USP for the marketers of London injection clinics.
A follow-up physiotherapy plan is also an important addition to the private injection service, both from the clinical and marketing point of view. The follow-up plan allows the patient to build mobility and strength in affected areas to avoid their problem recurring in future. The vast majority of clinics will include a follow-up plan in their pricing for a steroid injection, adding further value to their service.
Self-referrals for cortisone injections
Although they have many benefits, steroid injections also come with many risks. These can include anything from temporary, localized issues such as bruising around the injection site, through to osteoporosis and hormonal changes.
As such, in the UK a person may not simply refer themselves for an injection or purchase one without the approval of a qualified medical practitioner. Within the National Health Service this would be done by a General Practitioner – i.e. the doctor a patient sees in the first instance – who would then refer them for an injection at a hospital or injection clinic.
Private injection clinics have a responsibility to ensure they do not simply give injections to anyone who is prepared to pay for them. They must follow the same rigor in ensuring suitability for treatment and identifying potential contraindications before going ahead with treatment. For this reason most private injection clinics in London offer a free, no-obligation initial consultation before booking someone for treatment, and further ultrasound diagnostics before going ahead with an injection. This adds further to the popularity of private injection treatment as speaking to a doctor within the National Health Service is increasingly difficult, so the ability to speak to a specialist quickly without obligation is very appealing to patients.
Things to consider when choosing a clinic
When choosing a private cortisone injection clinic in London there are several things to consider. Firstly the qualifications and experience of the practitioner and general reputation of the clinic are highly important. Next, the patient will want to consider the location of the clinic, looking for a cortisone injection clinic in their area so they don’t have to travel, particularly if they are experiencing pain.
In terms of pricing, most clinics are reasonably similar, but the patient might also want to consider the overall package, the length and depth of any consultation, and the quality of the aftercare service they will receive
