Everything You Need to Know About Corticosteroid Injections
Osteoarthritis can lead to functional deterioration of joints due to pain, swelling and reduced range of movements. Treatments which can help to reduce inflammation in joints can help to reduce swelling and pain and help to return joints to a better level of functioning.
Corticosteroids also known as glucocorticoids are like cortisol, a hormone produced in the adrenal glands of the body. Steroids work by reducing inflammation which can help to reduce pain and swelling in the body. These are not the same as anabolic steroids such as testosterone and its derivatives, which are used by bodybuilders.
Examples of steroids which can be injected into joints include hydrocortisone, depo-madrone and triamcinolone.
Corticosteroids are a well-established therapy for treating inflamed and painful joints in patients with osteoarthritis. It can be a useful tool for those who don’t respond well or have side effects from oral painkillers or anti-inflammatory drugs.
What to Expect from This Treatment?
Injections into the joint are done in the clinic. Depending on the joint this may need to be done under ultrasound guidance or may be guided by anatomic landmarks which are familiar to specialist practitioners. (prominences of bones and joints)
The clinician will first identify the target for injection and may mark the skin with a medical pen or blunt point.
Benefits of Corticosteroid Injections
Corticosteroid injections are most commonly injected alongside a local anaesthetic. This allows immediate pain reduction when injected into the joint. Steroids work to reduce inflammation, which starts immediately after injection with full effect taking up to 2 weeks. This can help sustain reduced pain and swelling within a joint, with effects lasting up to a few months.
Steroid injections are not a long-term solution to joint pain and function but can be used effectively to quickly reduce pain and swelling to allow more sustainable therapies and rehabilitation to be used such as physiotherapy and exercise.
Potential Risks
As well as the benefits associated with corticosteroid injections there are also potential risks to consider. With any injection which breaches the skin barrier, especially those which go into the sterile space within joints, the risk is that of infection. At The Health Suite, extreme care is taken to minimise the risk of any infection through proper cleaning and sterilisation of the skin, use of sterile equipment and expert practitioners.
Corticosteroids when injected into joints such as the knee, have some association with chondrocyte toxicity (cells in the cartilage) and in the long term can accelerate deterioration in joint health.
Other less common risks include tendon damage, bleeding, pain, and skin lightening around the injection site.
Corticosteroids even when injected into a joint can lead to unstable or high blood sugars in diabetics due to some systemic absorption into the body.
Common Q&A about Corticosteroid Injections for Osteoarthritis
Corticosteroid injections contain anti-inflammatory medication that helps reduce inflammation and pain in joints affected by osteoarthritis. They mimic the effects of hormones naturally produced by the adrenal glands.
These injections can reduce inflammation in the joint, leading to decreased pain and improved mobility. They are commonly used when other treatments like oral medications or physical therapy haven’t provided sufficient relief.
The pain relief from corticosteroid injections can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the severity of osteoarthritis and the individual’s response to treatment. However, the effect tends to wear off over time.
Most doctors recommend limiting corticosteroid injections to 3-4 times per year per joint. Overuse of these injections can lead to side effects like joint damage or weakening of the bones.
Yes, possible side effects include temporary pain or swelling at the injection site, infection, skin thinning, and in rare cases, cartilage damage or weakening of tendons and ligaments around the joint.
No, corticosteroid injections do not cure osteoarthritis. They help manage symptoms like pain and inflammation but do not reverse the underlying joint damage caused by the condition.
Relief typically starts within 24 to 48 hours of the injection, though it may take up to a week for full benefits to be felt. Some patients may experience immediate relief, while others might require a longer period.
Patients with moderate to severe osteoarthritis who have not responded to other treatments such as physical therapy, oral pain relievers, or lifestyle changes may benefit from corticosteroid injections. However, people with infections or certain medical conditions may not be suitable candidates.
Yes, alternatives include physical therapy, oral medications (NSAIDs, acetaminophen), hyaluronic acid injections, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy, and in some cases, surgery like joint replacement.
During the injection, you may feel brief discomfort. Afterward, you should avoid strenuous activity for a few days to allow the medication to take effect. Temporary soreness or swelling is common, but this typically subsides within a couple of days.