Corticosteroid injection facts

Corticosteroid is a strong anti-inflammatory agent injected directly into the injured area.

It can reduce pain and allow rehabilitation.

Corticosteroid is short term, at best 1-3months with no guarantee.

Any long term result is due to some other reason.

Corticosteroid injections best use is in conjunction with a comprehensive rehabilitation plan and that is how we provide long lasting relief.

Side effects of Corticosteroid injections:

• infection (less than 1:10000-1:50000)
• weakening local structures in the early phase and therefore potential tearing of these structures
  • it is controversial it probably only happens if directly injected into the structure
• 10% crystal flare
  • can be upto 2 weeks but usually a few days
• subcutaneous atrophy of fat
• pigmentation or depigmentation of skin
  • very rare to be permanent
• a diabetic patients sugar levels will be affected
  • BGL (blood glucose level) can be raised for 24-48 hours
• potential injection into a local structure that it was not performed for. Radiological guidance is sometimes, not always needed to improve accuracy