Steroid Injections
What are steroid injections?
A number of musculoskeletal problems, ranging from arthritis to tendonitis, can in certain circumstances be treated effectively with steroid injections and local anaesthetic. As with all treatments, there are pros and cons, but the administration of a local steroid can significantly improve the pain and swelling that can be the result of inflamed tissue.
How do steroid injections work?
Your surgeon will perform an injection into the affected area, sometimes with ultrasound guidance. Patients will often notice an immediate improvement in their pain and swelling. Occasionally the joint can ache more than usual for a couple of days, then as the steroid begins to act, the swelling and pain should subside.
Steroid injections side effects
As with all injections, there is a small chance of introducing infection into the joint or area that has been injected. There is a very small risk of nerve damage or bleeding, and a very rare risk of allergic reaction.
The injections, if repeated frequently over a number of years, can cause some minor damage to the cartilage within the joints, which is why we would normally only recommend steroid injections as a short-term measure. It can sometimes represent a permanent treatment for some conditions.
how often can you have steroid injections?
Injections can be carried out at different intervals, depending on the area involved. There is often a law of diminishing returns, with subsequent injections being less effective than the initial treatment.
Steroid injection interactions
It is important not to have major surgery, such as a joint replacement, within three months of a steroid injection into that area, as it can slightly increase the risk of infection.
