On the morning of the London Marathon, we offer long-lasting local anaesthetic injections to help you run pain-free and perform at your best.
📞 Call us on 020 7482 3875 or book online to arrange a consultation.
Planning Your London Marathon? Here’s What You Should Know About Injections
As runners across London prepare for the 2025 marathon, many are facing a common challenge: how to manage pain and keep training without risking long-term injury. We’ve noticed an increasing number of patients enquiring about pain-relieving injections to support their training. Most have already tried rest, physiotherapy, and other conservative treatments.
Let’s explore what steroid injections can offer, when they’re appropriate, and how to use them safely in your marathon build-up.
Why Physiotherapy Should Be Your First Step
Before considering injections, physiotherapy is usually the best place to start. It’s particularly effective for injuries caused by training overload or poor running mechanics. A physiotherapist can assess your gait, identify any imbalances, and guide you through a personalised rehabilitation programme. In many cases, this alone is enough to manage symptoms and improve performance.
You can learn more about this on our Sports Physiotherapy service page.
When Injections May Be Considered
If your pain persists despite rehab, a steroid injection might offer temporary relief. These injections are anti-inflammatory and typically begin working within 3 to 5 days. After the procedure, we recommend avoiding intense activity for 1 to 2 weeks.
Timing is key: injections are most useful when administered at least 2–4 weeks before race day. This gives your body time to settle, recover, and gradual return to training. The effect of a steroid injection generally lasts for 6 to 8 weeks, making it suitable for managing pain through the final training phase and the marathon itself.
Injection Safety During Training
Injections are not always appropriate during high-volume training, especially if the affected structure is a weight-bearing tendon like the Achilles or patella tendon. Injecting these areas while you’re still putting them under regular stress can increase the risk of weakening or even rupture.
For these reasons, our clinicians will thoroughly assess your condition before making any recommendations.
Understanding the Risks and Side Effects
Most people tolerate steroid injections well, but side effects can occasionally occur. These include:
- Pain or swelling at the injection site for a few days
- Skin discolouration or fat loss near the injection site
- Temporary increase in blood sugar (especially for people with diabetes)
- Short-lived rise in blood pressure
Stronger, longer-acting steroids such as Triamcinolone and Methylprednisolone carry a slightly higher risk of side effects. Your physiotherapist or clinician will explain the best options based on your medical history and symptoms.
Pros and Cons of Cortisone for Runners
Steroid injections can be beneficial for managing pain from conditions such as iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome, shoulder impingement, or other low-grade joint irritations. They help reduce inflammation and allow you to continue training with less discomfort.
However, they’re not without drawbacks. Pain relief can mask your body’s warning signs, increasing the risk of aggravating an injury if you push too hard, too soon. Cortisone doesn’t resolve underlying biomechanical issues, and repeated use, especially in tendons, can weaken the tissue over time.
Used judiciously, though, injections can offer an important window of relief that allows runners to reach the start line.
Speak to a Specialist
If you’re unsure about whether injection therapy is right for your situation, our team is here to help. We’ll assess your condition, discuss your goals, and guide you through the safest treatment path.
📞 Call us on 020 7482 3875 or book online to arrange a consultation.