As a general rule, we suggest that you rest for a minimum of 2 days after a steroid injection. After 2 days, we would suggest that you can gradually build up your activity levels. However, this advice does vary depending on what area is being injected. For example, if you have an injection around a tendon, we may advise you to avoid heavy impact and loading activities for two or three weeks.
Approximately 25% of patients will get an increase in pain after the injection. This is a normal reaction to an injection and nothing to be concerned about.
What factors may affect how long we suggest you should rest after a steroid injection?
The other factors that may influence how long you should rest after a steroid injection include:
- Your specific diagnosis and what injection is carried out
- The type and dosage of steroid used
- Your general fitness and activity levels prior to the injection
- Your irritability and pain levels prior to the injection
Your clinician will provide clear advice on what to expect after the injection and how long to rest at your appointment.
When can you return to the gym after a steroid injection?
How long you need to stay off the gym will depend on where you have been injected and what exercise you want to carry out at the gym. It will depend on many factors but as a general rule; we would expect you to return to the gym after 3-5 days. Your clinician is likely to modify your gym regime to ensure you do not aggravate your symptoms and reduce the effect of the steroid.
It is important to gradually increase your exercise intensity and frequency in the gym following the injection, particularly in the region that has been injected. Pain should guide your exercises and monitor your reaction to your gym session. We suggest you monitor the pain for at least 24 hours after a gym session to assess how well you have tolerated the activity. This should guide your exercise progression.
When can you return to running and other sports after a steroid injection?
If you have had a hip, knee or ankle/foot injection, we suggest you rest from running for at least 5-7 days. However, this advice may vary depending on your specific condition and circumstances. If you have had an upper limb injection, you could return to running after 48 hours, unless you experience a ‘steroid flare’.
You may require more time off running depending on your current fitness levels and your pre-injection running tolerance. If you experience a ‘steroid flare’ following the steroid injection, we would suggest you rest for longer until the pain is subsidised.
If you have not run for several months due to pain in the region you have had injected, you will need to rest for a longer period of time and build up your lower limb strength and running tolerance slowly. Your physiotherapist will guide your return to running and ensure you get back to your goals ASAP.
The ‘Complete Physio couch to 5k’ can also provide a useful resource for runners looking to improve their running tolerance gradually.
What other factors can influence how long you need to rest for after a steroid injection?
One of the main factors that can influence how long you need to rest after a steroid injection is the potential side effect known as ‘steroid flare’. Steroid flare is a short-term increase in pain from the steroid itself. It does not occur in a vast majority of injections, but is something you must be aware of, particularly if you have a holiday or a race coming up that you want to be ready for.
Steroid flare can last for up to a week. If you do experience a steroid flare, we would advise that you rest for a longer period of time until the pain subsides.
It is not possible to predict who will get a steroid flare following a steroid injection prior to the injection.
Final comment…
Prior to your injection, it is important to be aware of how long you should rest after a steroid injection. This will help you optimise the timing of your injection to ensure the maximum treatment response.
If you have any questions or would like to make an appointment, please email info@complete-physio.co.uk or call 020 7482 3875.