What Are Corticosteroids?
Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex. They play a crucial role in various physiological processes such as stress and immune responses, inflammation regulation, carbohydrate metabolism, protein catabolism, electrolyte balance, and behaviour.
Cortisone is a type of ‘corticosteroid’ and functions as an anti-inflammatory. Corticosteroid injections are used to reduce inflammation associated with pain, swelling, and loss of function in joints, tendons, muscles, and fascia.
These injections generally play an important role within a larger treatment plan to improve their effectiveness.
Who Can Benefit?
Corticosteroid injections are recommended for individuals with inflammatory joint conditions such as shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle osteoarthritis.
They are particularly effective for conditions like bursitis, osteoarthritis, tendinitis, and fasciitis, and also beneficial for conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome.
When administered, corticosteroid injections can greatly assist in definitively treating many conditions, as well as assisting with rehabilitation of an active lifestyle.
How Does It Work?
Corticosteroid injections are powerful anti-inflammatory agents used to alleviate pain and inflammation in various joints and soft tissues.
The corticosteroid injection can have both diagnostic and therapeutic benefits:
- If symptoms are reduced by the effect of the local anesthetic, this provides clinical evidence that the structure injected is a partial source of the pain, hence being ‘diagnostic’.
- Depending on the current balance between mechanical and inflammatory components, the injection may provide a ‘therapeutic’ effect by reducing inflammation.
The success of a therapeutic benefit depends on many factors, including duration of pain, severity of the problem, associated mechanical components, and biological factors. For a small number of patients, there is no therapeutic benefit.
Treatment Process
Before the injection, the skin is prepared using an antiseptic and numbing spray. Ultrasound guidance may be employed for accuracy.
Strict aseptic technique will be implemented for increased patient safety, especially if the injection is into a joint.
The pain experienced during the injection is minimal. In most cases, the patient can leave the clinic post treatment.
Treatment Expectations
Corticosteroid injections can offer significant short-term relief, and patients typically experience 1-3 months of pain relief following corticosteroid injections.
However, corticosteroid injections are typically used judiciously due to potential side effects such as temporary increases in blood sugar and the risk of tendon rupture. To ensure effectiveness and minimize side effects, we recommend at limit of 3-4 injections per year.
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Discover how corticosteroid injections can effectively reduce pain and inflammation in your musculoskeletal conditions. Book an appointment today!