Treatment Guide
Joint or Nerve Pain That Won’t Settle? A Precise Steroid Injection May Bring Real Relief
When pain in the knee, shoulder, hip, or spine keeps returning despite rest, medicines, and physiotherapy, a single image-guided steroid injection can calm the inflammation at its source. Performed in minutes as a day procedure by Dr. Soma Sundar S — gentle, accurate, and designed to get you moving again.
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Every injection is performed under ultrasound or live X-ray guidance — the medication goes exactly where it is needed.
Best Steroid Injection Treatment in Chennai
Dr. Soma Sundar S
MS (Ortho) · DNB · FRCS (Tr & Orth) UK · FISS · FESS (Germany) · FMISS (Switzerland)
AO Spine Fellow · Gold Medallist · EuroSpine Frankfurt Speaker · Published Researcher
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Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet
Mon – Sat · 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
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Shens Hospital, Ashok Nagar
Mon – Sat · 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
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What Is a Steroid Injection?
A steroid injection delivers a small, carefully measured dose of corticosteroid — a powerful anti-inflammatory medication — directly to the source of your pain: inside a joint, around an irritated tendon, or next to a compressed spinal nerve.
It is usually combined with a local anaesthetic, so you feel comfortable straight away while the steroid quietly settles the inflammation over the following days. Because the medicine is placed exactly where it is needed, a tiny dose achieves what weeks of tablets often cannot — without affecting the rest of your body the way oral medication does.
Importantly, this is not the anabolic steroid associated with bodybuilding. Corticosteroids are related to cortisol, a hormone your own body produces naturally to control inflammation.
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Inflammation Drives Your Pain
Swollen joint lining, irritated tendon, or an inflamed nerve root keeps the pain cycle going.
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Precise, Image-Guided Delivery
A fine needle places the medication exactly at the source — confirmed live on ultrasound or X-ray.
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Inflammation Settles Over 3–7 Days
The anaesthetic works immediately; the steroid builds steadily, calming swelling and pain.
4
A Window to Rebuild
With pain controlled, physiotherapy and strengthening can finally work — turning relief into lasting recovery.
A tiny, targeted dose at the exact site of inflammation — far more effective than the same medicine taken as a tablet.
Which Joints & Areas Can Be Treated?
Steroid injections are remarkably versatile. Dr. Soma Sundar S performs image-guided injections for virtually every joint and pain-generating structure in the body — each planned around your specific diagnosis.
Knee
Knee osteoarthritis, inflammatory flares, and painful swelling that limits walking and stairs. One of the most common and most rewarding injection sites.
Shoulder
Frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis), rotator cuff inflammation, and subacromial bursitis — injections often restore the movement physiotherapy needs to work.
Spine & Nerve Roots
Epidural and selective nerve root injections for sciatica, disc-related nerve pain, and facet joint pain — performed under live X-ray for millimetre precision.
Elbow, Wrist & Hand
Tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, trigger finger, and carpal tunnel syndrome — small joints where precision matters most.
Hip
Hip joint arthritis and trochanteric bursitis — the deep hip joint is almost impossible to inject accurately without image guidance, which is why every hip injection is ultrasound or X-ray guided.
Ankle & Foot
Plantar fasciitis, ankle arthritis, and tendon inflammation around the foot — targeted relief that lets you stand and walk comfortably again.
When Is a Steroid Injection Recommended?
An injection is never the first step — and never a reflex. Dr. Soma Sundar recommends one only when it serves a clear purpose in your overall recovery plan. These are the situations where it helps most.
Very Common
Pain Not Settling With Tablets & Rest
When several weeks of anti-inflammatory medication, activity modification, and rest haven’t brought meaningful relief.
Very Common
Pain Blocking Your Physiotherapy
If pain is too severe to exercise, rehabilitation stalls. An injection creates the comfortable window physiotherapy needs to succeed.
Common
A Swollen, Warm, Inflamed Joint
Acute flares of arthritis with visible swelling respond quickly and dramatically to a precisely placed steroid dose.
Common
Nerve Pain Down the Arm or Leg
Sciatica or arm pain from a compressed spinal nerve often improves significantly with a targeted epidural or nerve root injection.
Common
Night Pain Disturbing Your Sleep
Conditions like frozen shoulder are notorious for night pain. Restoring sleep is often the first and most appreciated benefit.
Selected Cases
Confirming the Pain Source
When scans show changes at more than one site, a diagnostic injection confirms exactly which structure is generating your pain — guiding all future treatment.
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After Your Injection — When to Call Us
Problems are rare, but contact the clinic promptly if you develop fever, increasing redness, warmth, or swelling at the injection site beyond 48 hours, or pain that worsens rather than settles. Quick review gives complete peace of mind.
Every injection begins with a thorough clinical assessment — the injection is recommended only when it clearly serves your recovery.
What Happens on the Day of Your Injection?
The entire visit usually takes under an hour — and the injection itself only a few minutes. Most patients tell us afterwards it was far easier than they imagined.
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1. Final Check & Consent
Dr. Soma Sundar reviews your scans, confirms the target, and answers every question. Nothing happens until you are completely comfortable with the plan.
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2. Positioning & Image Guidance
You are positioned comfortably while ultrasound or fluoroscopy (live X-ray) locates the precise target. The skin is cleaned and numbed with local anaesthetic.
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3. The Injection — Just a Few Minutes
A fine needle delivers the medication in a single, image-confirmed pass. Most patients feel only mild pressure — many are surprised when told it’s already done.
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4. Brief Observation, Then Home
A short rest, simple aftercare instructions, and you walk out the same day. No admission, no stitches, no downtime for most patients.
Specialist in Image-Guided Injections
Dr. Soma Sundar S Is an Expert in Image-Guided Steroid Injections
Dr. Soma Sundar S has performed hundreds of steroid injections across every major joint and the full length of the spine — from straightforward knee injections to technically demanding nerve root blocks under fluoroscopy. His international training across the UK, Germany, and Switzerland means every injection follows current, evidence-based protocols for dose, technique, and timing.
His philosophy is simple: an injection is a tool within a plan — never the whole plan. Every injection is paired with a clear rehabilitation pathway, honest expectations about how long relief should last, and a defined next step if it doesn’t.
14+
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Certified Minimally Invasive
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Your Steroid Injection Journey — From Preparation to Lasting Relief
Knowing exactly what to expect takes away the worry. Here is the complete journey, stage by stage.
Little to Do — But a Few Things to Tell Us
Preparation for a steroid injection is refreshingly simple. For most joint injections you can eat and drink normally, take your usual medicines, and arrive without any special arrangements.
- Eat and drink normally — no fasting for standard joint injections
- Tell us about blood thinners (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin) in advance
- Diabetic? Let us know — we’ll guide you on sugar monitoring after the injection
- Mention any recent fever, infection, or unwell feeling
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing for easy access to the area
- Bring your scans, reports, and current medication list
- You can usually drive yourself home — we’ll confirm based on the site injected
Nervous about needles? Tell us. The team is experienced in helping anxious patients — and with skin numbing and a fine needle, almost everyone says it was far gentler than they feared.
Guided by Imaging, Not Guesswork
Every injection is performed under ultrasound or fluoroscopic (live X-ray) guidance. This is the single biggest factor in both comfort and effectiveness — the needle path is planned, the target is confirmed visually, and the medication is delivered in one precise pass.
- Skin cleaned and numbed with local anaesthetic first
- Needle placement confirmed live on screen before any medication is given
- Corticosteroid + local anaesthetic delivered exactly at the target
- The injection itself typically takes 5–10 minutes
- Spinal injections performed in a fully equipped hospital setting
- Most patients describe mild pressure rather than pain
Why guidance matters: studies consistently show image-guided injections are significantly more accurate than landmark-based (“blind”) injections — which translates directly into better relief and fewer repeat procedures.
What the First Week Looks Like
You’ll walk out the same day with simple instructions. The local anaesthetic gives immediate relief for a few hours; the steroid then takes over, building its effect across the first week.
- Relative rest of the injected area for 24–48 hours
- A temporary “steroid flare” — mild soreness for a day or two — is normal and settles on its own
- Simple paracetamol and a cold pack manage any early soreness
- Most patients return to office work the next day
- Steroid effect typically noticeable by day 3–7
- Diabetics: monitor blood sugar for a few days — a brief rise is common and temporary
- Avoid swimming pools and vigorous exercise for 48 hours
The honest picture: relief duration varies — from several weeks to many months depending on the condition. Dr. Soma Sundar will tell you what’s realistic for your diagnosis before the injection, not after.
The Injection Opens the Door — Rehabilitation Walks Through It
A steroid injection calms inflammation, but it doesn’t strengthen a weak muscle or correct the mechanics that caused the problem. That’s why every injection at SundarSpine comes with a structured plan for what happens next.
- Physiotherapy begins once early soreness settles — usually within a week
- Strengthening and mobility work targets the root cause, not just the symptom
- Sensible limits: typically no more than 3–4 injections per joint per year
- Injections spaced at least 6–12 weeks apart to protect joint tissue
- If relief is short-lived, alternatives like PRP or definitive treatment are discussed honestly
- Follow-up review to confirm progress and adjust the plan
If injections keep being needed, that’s important information — it tells us the underlying problem needs a different solution. Dr. Soma Sundar will never simply repeat injections indefinitely when a better long-term answer exists.
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Ultrasound &
Fluoroscopy Guided
The SundarSpine Difference
Why Image Guidance Changes Everything
Many steroid injections elsewhere are still given “blind” — relying on surface landmarks and feel. At SundarSpine, every injection is guided by ultrasound or fluoroscopy, so the needle position is seen and confirmed before a single drop of medication is delivered.
For deep targets like the hip joint or spinal nerve roots, guidance isn’t a luxury — it’s the difference between medication reaching the target or missing it entirely.
Image-Guided
Landmark (“Blind”)
Needle placement
Confirmed visually
Estimated by feel
Medication delivery
Exact target
May miss target
Patient comfort
Single precise pass
May need repositioning
Deep joints (hip, spine)
Reliably reached
Often inaccurate
Safety near nerves & vessels
Structures visualised
Not visible
See it for yourself — the live view that guides every injection
Wondering whether an injection is right for your condition? Not every painful joint needs one — and some respond better to alternatives like PRP or structured physiotherapy. Dr. Soma Sundar will review your scans and recommend the most appropriate option at your consultation, with honest reasoning either way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Steroid Injections
A steroid injection contains a corticosteroid — a powerful anti-inflammatory medication — usually combined with a small amount of local anaesthetic. The corticosteroid calms inflammation at its source over several days, while the anaesthetic provides immediate short-term comfort. It is completely different from the anabolic steroids associated with muscle building.
Most patients describe it as far more comfortable than expected — similar to a routine blood test. The skin is numbed with local anaesthetic first, a fine needle is used, and image guidance means the medication is placed precisely in a single pass. The injection itself typically takes only a few minutes, and many patients are surprised when told it’s already finished.
The local anaesthetic gives immediate relief lasting a few hours. The steroid itself begins working within 3–7 days. How long relief lasts varies by condition — typically several weeks to several months. For many patients, this window is exactly what’s needed to complete physiotherapy and convert temporary relief into lasting improvement.
As a general guide, the same joint is usually limited to 3–4 injections per year, spaced at least 6–12 weeks apart, to protect cartilage and surrounding tissue. Dr. Soma Sundar plans every injection as part of a broader treatment strategy. If injections keep being needed, that signals the underlying problem requires a different, more definitive solution — which will be discussed openly with you.
When performed with image guidance by an experienced specialist, steroid injections are very safe. Possible short-term effects include a temporary flare of soreness for 24–48 hours, facial flushing, or a brief rise in blood sugar in diabetics. A small patch of skin lightening at the injection site occasionally occurs. Serious complications such as infection are rare. Image guidance significantly reduces risk by confirming exact needle placement away from nerves and blood vessels.
No. Corticosteroids used in joint and spine injections are anti-inflammatory medications related to cortisol — a hormone your body produces naturally. Anabolic steroids used for muscle building are entirely different drugs. A medical steroid injection will not cause muscle growth or the side effects associated with anabolic steroid use.
In most cases, yes — patients walk out of the clinic and resume normal light activities the same day. If the injected limb feels numb from the local anaesthetic, it’s sensible to arrange a driver for the trip home. Most people return to office work the next day; heavy physical work may need 2–3 days of relative rest. You’ll receive clear, specific guidance based on the site injected.
They serve different purposes. Steroid injections rapidly calm inflammation and pain — ideal for acute flares and severe pain that’s blocking rehabilitation. PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) uses your own concentrated healing factors to support tissue repair over weeks to months — better suited to chronic tendon problems and early joint degeneration. Dr. Soma Sundar will recommend the right option — or a planned sequence of both — based on your diagnosis, scans, and goals.
What Our Patients Say About Steroid Injection Treatment
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My knee pain had reached a stage where I avoided going out because of stairs. I was very scared of injections but Dr. Soma Sundar sir explained everything and showed me the ultrasound screen during the procedure. Honestly it was over before I realised. Within one week I was climbing the stairs at home without holding the railing.
★★★★★
V
Venkatesh Raman
Retired Bank Manager, Mylapore
Knee Injection
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For six months I could not sleep on my right side because of frozen shoulder pain. Tablets gave no relief at all. Doctor gave one injection into the shoulder under ultrasound and started physiotherapy after a week. The night pain stopped within days and now my arm movement is almost fully back. I wish I had come earlier.
★★★★★
S
Saroja Krishnamurthy
Homemaker, West Mambalam
Frozen Shoulder
”
The pain going down my leg from my back was unbearable — I could not stand for more than ten minutes at the factory. Dr. Soma Sundar showed me on the MRI exactly which nerve was affected and did the injection under X-ray guidance at the hospital. The leg pain reduced dramatically and with the exercises he gave, I am back to full duty.
★★★★★
D
Dhanasekaran Murthy
Production Supervisor, Ambattur
Nerve Root Injection
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I am a school principal and standing through assemblies had become torture because of my knee arthritis. Doctor was very honest — he said the injection would give relief for some months and we should use that time to strengthen my legs. That is exactly what happened. The pain relief plus the physiotherapy plan together made all the difference.
★★★★★
R
Revathi Sundaresan
School Principal, Adyar
Knee Osteoarthritis
”
I had hip pain for over a year and two injections elsewhere had given no benefit at all. Dr. Soma Sundar explained that the hip joint is deep and an injection without imaging often misses it. He did it under guidance and for the first time I got real relief. The difference between a guided and unguided injection is something I learnt the hard way.
★★★★★
I
Ilango Perumal
Businessman, Velachery
Hip Injection
”
My elbow pain was affecting even simple things like lifting a water jug. As a working mother I could not afford weeks of being unable to use my arm. The injection took hardly five minutes and within days the pain settled. Doctor also corrected my desk posture and gave simple exercises so it doesn’t come back. Very practical and caring approach.
★★★★★
M
Meenakshi Rajagopal
Bank Employee, Nungambakkam
Tennis Elbow
4.9 / 5
410+ verified patient reviews
Dr. Soma Sundar S
MS (Ortho) · DNB · FRCS (Tr & Orth) UK · FISS · FESS · FMISS · AO Spine Fellow · Gold Medallist
A single consultation — including a full clinical assessment and review of your scans — will tell you whether a steroid injection is the right step, what relief to realistically expect, and exactly what your recovery plan looks like.
Don’t keep adjusting your life around pain that has a treatable cause. There is almost always something meaningful that can be done.
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Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet
Kauvery Hospital, Alwarpet, Chennai · Mon – Sat · 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM · By Appointment
Shens Hospital, Ashok Nagar
21/40 Mettupalayam, 11th Avenue, Ashok Nagar, Chennai 600083 (Near KFC) · Mon – Sat · 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
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Not in Chennai? Or prefer to discuss your scans from the comfort of home before deciding to visit? Dr. Soma Sundar S offers secure video consultations — bringing the same expertise directly to you, wherever you are.
Simply share your MRI reports and X-rays in advance. Dr. Soma Sundar will review them before your call and provide a clear, personalised assessment — including whether you need to visit in person, and what treatment to expect.
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Related Treatments & Conditions
🩸PRP InjectionYour body’s own healing factors — the regenerative alternative for tendons and early arthritis.Read more →
🎯Selective Nerve Root BlockTargeted spinal injection for sciatica and nerve-related arm or leg pain.Read more →
🦵Knee OsteoarthritisUnderstand knee arthritis — and the full range of treatments beyond injections.Read more →
🎾Tennis ElbowPersistent elbow pain explained — causes, treatment, and when an injection helps.Read more →
⚕️Treatments & ProceduresInjections, minimally invasive surgery, physiotherapy — the full range explained.Explore →
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