A prospective study was conducted to investigate the possible complications associated with intra- and peri-articular steroid injections. Data are presented on 1147 injections performed on 672 patients out of a total of 688 consecutive patients attending an orthopaedic outpatient setting. It was found to be a safe procedure, with a very low complication rate, if performed while taking adequate precautions. This should encourage general practitioners to offer these injections in their surgeries.