If joint or soft-tissue pain is holding you back, an ultrasound-guided injection can be one of the fastest, least invasive routes to relief — often without surgery and without a long wait. If you are going private, two questions come up straight away: which injection is right for you, and what should it cost? This guide answers both, with transparent London pricing and no jargon.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr James Thing (MBBS, BSc, MRCGP, FFSEM), Consultant in Sport & Exercise Medicine.
It is an injection delivered under live ultrasound imaging, so the clinician can watch the needle reach the exact target — a specific joint space, tendon or bursa — rather than relying on surface landmarks. This accuracy matters: for many conditions, guided injections are more reliable and more comfortable than “blind” ones. At Joint Care London, every injection is ultrasound-guided and performed by a consultant, not delegated to a technician.
Ultrasound-guided injections help a wide range of musculoskeletal problems, including knee arthritis, frozen shoulder, tennis elbow, shoulder arthritis, hip osteoarthritis, bursitis and tendon injuries. The right choice depends on the diagnosis — which is why a diagnostic ultrasound comes first.
Your first appointment includes a consultation and a diagnostic ultrasound scan, so your consultant can confirm the diagnosis and recommend the most suitable injection. The injection itself takes only a few minutes, is done under local anaesthetic where needed, and most people return to normal activities the same or next day. A follow-up reviews your response. Typical wait to be seen: 0–1 weeks, compared with 14–21 weeks on the NHS.
Prices vary enormously — from budget walk-in clinics to Harley Street and private hospitals that can charge two to three times more for the same procedure. The figure that actually matters is what is included: is it consultant-delivered and ultrasound-guided, and does the price cover the consultation, the scan, the injection and follow-up — or are those billed separately?
Here is where Joint Care London sits against typical London pricing, with everything included and no hidden fees:
| Injection (ultrasound-guided) | Joint Care London | London market range |
|---|---|---|
| Initial consultation + diagnostic ultrasound | £405 | £150–£350+ (scan often extra) |
| Steroid / cortisone | £525 | £250–£1,200 |
| Hyaluronic acid (Ostenil Plus) | £625 | £300–£800+ |
| PRP | £660 | £400–£950 |
| Hydrodilatation (frozen shoulder) | £650 | £600–£1,000+ |
| Arthrosamid (one knee) | £2,995 | £3,000–£3,500 |
A quick honest note: for a simple steroid injection you can find lower prices at some walk-in clinics — but often without ultrasound guidance or a consultant. For PRP, hydrodilatation and Arthrosamid, our all-inclusive pricing sits comfortably below typical London rates. See the full price list.
Some injections are available on the NHS, but waits are long. Going private means you are usually seen within a week. Steroid and hyaluronic acid injections are sometimes covered by private health insurance; PRP and Arthrosamid are generally not funded by the NHS or most major insurers, so they are typically self-pay. We will always tell you the full cost up front.
Every injection is ultrasound-guided and delivered by Dr James Thing, a Consultant in Sport and Exercise Medicine (MBBS, BSc, MRCGP, FFSEM) with over ten years’ experience in musculoskeletal ultrasound. You will be seen within 0–1 weeks at our clinics in Notting Hill, Golders Green and Henley-on-Thames, with transparent, all-inclusive pricing and no hidden extras.
For most joint and tendon problems, ultrasound guidance improves accuracy and can improve results — you are paying for the injection to reach exactly the right place, first time.
Usually within 0–1 weeks at any of our London clinics.
Steroid and hyaluronic acid injections may be covered; PRP and Arthrosamid are usually self-pay. Check with your insurer, and we will provide clear pricing either way.
Ready to get moving again? Book a consultation or call 0333 011 1885.
