This is a very common question that patients ask us. The quick answer is, no. However, in this article we will discuss situations where an X-ray or an MRI may be required. At Complete, we carry out an ultrasound scan (at no extra cost) for every patient we see before carrying out an injection. This is to confirm your diagnosis and to ascertain the extent of your injury.

Injection Service at Complete

At Complete we are dedicated to providing a streamlined, self-referral pathway (i.e. no GP or specialist referral required), to ensure that patients can get quick access to pain relieving injections. We will not request an X-ray or an MRI unless there is a valid reason. We will only carry out an injection if we are confident of your diagnosis, if it is safe to do so (we screen all our patients before booking an appointment), and if it is an appropriate treatment option for your specific condition.

We are happy to speak to you on the phone if you are unsure whether you should have an X-ray or MRI scan before booking in. Simply call 020 7482 3875 or email info@complete-physio.co.uk and one of our expert clinicians will call you back as soon as possible.

We assess every patient on a case by case basis.

Below is a list of situations where you may require an X-ray or MRI scan before you book an appointment. Please note this list is not exhaustive and we are happy to discuss your individual case before making a booking.

  • You have had a traumatic event or accident, such as a fall off your bike. We need to rule out a fracture/break of your bone.
  • You are a runner and have been increasing your mileage significantly or you are new to running. We need to rule out a “stress fracture” or other bony pathology.
  • You have pain that is getting significantly worse for no reason. We need to ensure there is nothing more concerning going on.
  • You have hip pain, particularly in the groin, and are very active. We must rule out other bone and joint conditions such as “avascular necrosis” or a “stress fracture”.
  • You have been diagnosed with a frozen shoulder but are getting significant pain at night, the pain came on for no reason and you are younger than 40 or older than 60. Frozen shoulder is unusual (although it does occur) in these ages and we must confirm we have the right diagnosis.
  • You have pain that cannot be explained or does not have a specific pattern of symptoms – We need to confirm your diagnosis before being able to treat you.
  • You have had cancer in the past and we need to check nothing has returned.
  • You are getting pain ONLY at night or night sweats. This is unusual with muscle and joint problems.
  • You have unexplained pins and needles. This could be related to your spine and we do not carry out spinal injections at Complete.
  • You have unexplained weakness in your legs or arms. If this is the case we will request further imaging.

Please note this list is not exhaustive and we are happy to discuss your individual case before making a booking.

Case Study Examples

Here are a couple of examples in the last year where imaging was essential before booking an appointment for a steroid injection:

  1.  A runner who had groin and hip pain booked themselves in for an injection. We recommended we see them in our clinic before considering an injection and recommended an X-ray. The X-ray revealed a “stress fracture”.

A steroid injection would have significantly affected the healing potential of the fracture/bone, and was contraindicated. Instead, we recommended a 6-week rest from running, using crutches for the first 4 weeks, and the patient was back running in 8 weeks.

  1. A lady fell off her horse onto her shoulder and she was getting pain in her shoulder. She booked in for an injection. As she had fallen off her horse one of our clinical specialists phoned her and suggested she get an X-ray.
    It turned out there was a fractured/broken bone in her humerus and she required a sling and rest. Again, a steroid injection would have significantly affected the healing potential of the fracture/bone.

While the majority of our patients do not need an X-ray because they have a clear diagnosis, or we can confirm the diagnosis on ultrasound before they book in, as you can now understand, there are a number of people who do.

If you have not been given a specific diagnosis it may be worth booking in with one of our clinical specialists for a thorough assessment, including an ultrasound scan to find out exactly what is causing your pain.

We hope this provides useful information but if you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us. Call Complete Injections 020 7482 3875 or email injections@complete-physio.co.uk and start on your road to recovery.

Book a consultation with us