About hydrocortisone injections

Hydrocortisone injections, also called corticosteroid injections, are used to treat swollen or painful joints, or muscle pain. You may get this type of pain after an injury.

They're also used to treat painful tendons and bursitis (when the fluid-filled sacs that cushion a joint become swollen).

Hydrocortisone injections usually help relieve pain and swelling to make movement easier. The benefits can last for 2 to 3 months.

Hydrocortisone is a type of medicine known as a steroid (or corticosteroid). Corticosteroids are not the same as anabolic steroids.

Hydrocortisone injections are only available on prescription. They're usually given by a specially trained doctor in a GP surgery or hospital clinic.