FAQ & What to Expect

No, you do not need a medical referral to contact us. You can contact us directly.

Not a problem! We can also offer free first consultation over the phone, just request a call back and we will schedule the telephone consultation on our clinic hours.

Yes, We offer a free first consultation online that can be directly booked through our website.

You can book a same day appointment.

That is absolutely fine, we are used to dealing my needle apprehension and phobia. Let us know about any needle phobia or intervention related anxiety as our care can be adapted. In general, it is important to discuss any concerns or questions you have about the procedure beforehand. We will provide you with information about what to expect, potential risks and benefits, and how to manage any discomfort during or after the procedure.

During this consultation, we will collect some personal information (see our privacy policy), take your full medical history and assess if the service is appropriate for you. We will ask you specific questions to assist with the diagnosis, all of them are relevant to your current condition and will help us to get a precise idea of how to help.

Absolutely, if you are booked for a procedure, we will check for all possible contra indications and precautions or possible adverse reactions will be discussed.

Sure, we can answer any questions you might have. However, please note that no clinical recommendation or diagnosis can be given during this call.

Yes, the full amount of the consultation fee is £150 and is due before your appointment. You will be sent an email to pay on a secured online payment platform.

Please make sure you bring all recent relevant investigations or other consultants letters. You can also send them by email prior to the consultation.

At the end of this initial consultation, you will be able to book your face to face appointment for physical assessment, ultrasound scan and procedures on the day of your choice in one of our clinics.

You will be explained the diagnosis and offered a treatment plan.

Not particularly, but for your own comfort, you could wear comfortable clothes or bring something to get change if more convenient.

A treatment plan includes any ultrasound procedures. We might also prescribe exercises, suggest personal training, suggest physiotherapy or another specialist referral.

Each session can last up to 45 minutes.

We will proceed to a thorough physical examination which might include palpation, neurological and/or orthopaedics tests. An ultrasound examination will be conducted to complete your assessment.

Absolutely, you will have our full dedication and attention. With Insight MSK, there is no rush, no judgement or generic management. Each person is unique and deserves a tailored commitment.

That is absolutely fine, we are used to dealing with needle apprehension and phobia. Patient anxiety and fear of needles can contribute to the perception of discomfort. Discussing concerns with the healthcare provider and employing relaxation techniques can help manage anxiety. While some individuals experience minimal pain, others may feel more discomfort. It's essential to communicate openly with your clinician about pain levels to ensure a comfortable and effective experience. Let us know about any needle phobia or intervention related anxiety as our care can be adapted.

Like for any medical intervention, careful consideration of risks and benefits with your healthcare provider is crucial before opting for cortisone injections. Our absolute contraindications to cortisone injections are: ​ 1. Previous allergic reaction to corticosteroids or local anaesthetics (corticosteroids can be injected without local anaesthetic). 2. Ongoing fever, feeling unwell or currently taking antibiotics (you can receive the injection after your course of antibiotics). 4. Recent trauma or fracture. 5. Osteoporosis near the injection site. 6. Injection in an unstable joint (dislocating regularly). 7. Injection into a prosthetic joint (e.g., Total knee replacement). 8. Any surgery planned in the next 6 weeks (including dental) or joint replacement in the next 9 months. 9. If you have received a live vaccine within 2 weeks prior to the injection or due to have it within the 2 weeks following the procedure. Typical live vaccines include Live-attenuated Influenza (LAIV) vaccines (flu), some COVID vaccines, Measles, Mumps & Rubella (MMR), Polio, Smallpox, Chickenpox, Yellow Fever, Japanese encephalitis, Shingles, Rotavirus. 10. You already had 3 injections in the same site on the past 12 months, or last injection was less than 3 months ago for a load bearing joint (knee, hip, ankle...) or 1 month for any other body part. 11. Pregnancy. 12. Under 18. ​ Below is the list of precautions which need further attention prior to receive a corticosteroid injection: ​ 1. If you are currently receiving treatment for cancer, HIV, Hepatitis C or currently take Disease-Modifying Anti-Rheumatic Drug (DMARD), you need approval of your consultant prior to receive a corticosteroid injection. 2. If you have glaucoma, your need approval from your optometrist prior to receive a corticosteroid injection. 3. If you are on anti-coagulants : Warfarin (Coumadin) : INR needs to be within patient’s therapeutic range and not greater than 3 within 48h prior to the procedure. You do not need to stop the warfarin. DOACs (Direct Oral Anticoagulants) such as Apixaban (Eliquis), Rivaroxaban (Xarelto), Edoxaban (Savaysa), Betrixaban (BevyxXa), Dabigatran (Pradaxa) do not need to be stopped. 3. If you are Diabetic and taking insulin, you need to have your HbA1c below 69mmol/mol (8,5%) within three months prior the injection. Corticosteroid injections can lead to transient hyperglycaemia and you will be advised to check your blood glucose level for up to a week after the injection. 4. If you have high blood pressure, you can experience a transient raise in blood pressure and you need to monitor it the 48h following the procedure.

Fortunately, serious side effects to corticosteroid injections are rare but like any drug or medical intervention there are risks such as anaphylaxis (life-threatening allergic reaction, which is extremely rare in response to injected steroid or local anaesthetics), infection (1 out of 50 000 patients), but more likely to occur if you suffer from diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, Chronic Kidney Disease, HIV or if you take intra venous drugs. If the injected area becomes extremely painful, hot, red, swollen or that you develop fever or feel unwell after the injection it might indicate the presence of an infection. You should immediately attend an urgent care centre or your local A&E department. ​ Less serious reaction can occur such as a temporary increased pain (20% of the cases), cosmetic changes to the skin including depigmentation or localized fat atrophy around the injection site, bruising around the injection site (more likely, if you are on blood thinning medications), tendon rupture, increased cartilage degeneration, numbness or tingling, abnormal vaginal bleeding, temporary facial flushing, mood disturbances or depression (if you or your family have a history of psychosis or bipolar disorders) and of course failure to work. ​ Your clinician is trained to recognise and deal with severe immediate reaction and we are equipped with the appropriate first aid equipment. To minimise risks of side effects we advise rest for 48h (including driving) and you will be asked to wait up to 20 minutes in the waiting area. ​

No, ultrasound examinations are generally not painful but some positions might be temporarily uncomfortable. We encourage you to communicate any concerns with the healthcare provider to ensure a comfortable and informative experience.

Injections can cause varying levels of discomfort. We use of a local anesthetic to minimize pain.

The fees for any additional procedures will be due at the end of the consultation (please see the page Services and fees for further details).

The fee for a face to face consultation is £150 and is to be paid in advance.

We accept card or bank transfers.

You can now follow your post-procedural recommendations and let the treatment work.

Please note that a referral for private further imaging such as X-ray or MRI, prescription of medications (other than the one administered during the session) or a referral to another private specialist will induce extra costs charged by the provider independently from our service.

The need to take days off after a corticosteroid injection depends on several factors, including the reason for the injection, the specific area of the body involved, and individual responses to the treatment. In many cases, people are able to resume their normal activities relatively quickly after a corticosteroid injection. However, it's important to follow our expert's advice and not overexert the treated area. If you have concerns or experience unexpected symptoms after the injection, it's crucial to contact us for guidance.

Of course, a report will be sent to you as well as to any healthcare provider of your choice by secured email within 24h.

The impact of corticosteroid injections on your activities can vary depending on several factors, including the specific condition being treated, the location of the injection, and individual responses to the medication. his is to allow the medication to take effect and to minimize stress on the treated area. You will be provided with specific post-injection instructions. This may include recommendations on rest, activity level, and any necessary follow-up appointments.

Sure, we will stay available for you after the procedure if you have any questions.

After the procedure, some people may experience temporary soreness or discomfort, and we will recommend pain management strategies.