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Corticosteroid injections
WHAT ARE THEY USED FOR?
Corticosteroid injections may be prescribed for osteoarthritis when anti-inflammatory treatments and analgesics have not succeeded in relieving a congestive flare-up.
HOW DO THEY WORK?
This technique involves injecting a cortisone-based anti-inflammatory product into the joint. Cortisone has the advantage of acting on both the pain and the inflammation. It does not damage the cartilage; but when some patients see their painful symptoms decline or even disappear they overdo it by putting too much strain on their joint at a time when it is still fragile.
In general, corticosteroid injections give good results bearing in mind that most of the injected product remains in the joint. It acts on the pain and swelling within a few hours or days.
Its effect lasts several days to one or two months according to each individual case.
In general, corticosteroid injections give good results bearing in mind that most of the injected product remains in the joint. It acts on the pain and swelling within a few hours or days.
Its effect lasts several days to one or two months according to each individual case.
WHAT PRECAUTIONS NEED TO BE TAKEN?
You should be aware that that the often dreaded corticosteroid injection does not hurt any more than a blood test if your doctor is experienced. It is, however, possible and sometimes useful to have a local anaesthetic beforehand.
Do not put too much strain on your joint during the hours following the corticosteroid injection.
Sometimes the pain increases during the hours following the corticosteroid injection. This problem disappears spontaneously after a few hours and is not a contraindication for further corticosteroid injections.
However, for any pain that occurs 48 hours after the corticosteroid injection you should immediately consult your doctor to rule out a potential infection. Even if there is a very low risk of this occurring (1 out of 50,000 cases of corticosteroid injections) you need to be particularly vigilant.
There is no point in planning a special diet: cortisone delivered by local injection into a joint barely enters the blood stream and thus does not lead to weight gain. However, if you are diabetic, it can lead to a temporary imbalance.
No more than three corticosteroid injections per year per joint are recommended simply because if the first three have not had a sufficient effect, a fourth one will probably not be any more effective.
Note down the date, the product used and the effectiveness of the corticosteroid injections in your monitoring log or health record.
Do not put too much strain on your joint during the hours following the corticosteroid injection.
Sometimes the pain increases during the hours following the corticosteroid injection. This problem disappears spontaneously after a few hours and is not a contraindication for further corticosteroid injections.
However, for any pain that occurs 48 hours after the corticosteroid injection you should immediately consult your doctor to rule out a potential infection. Even if there is a very low risk of this occurring (1 out of 50,000 cases of corticosteroid injections) you need to be particularly vigilant.
There is no point in planning a special diet: cortisone delivered by local injection into a joint barely enters the blood stream and thus does not lead to weight gain. However, if you are diabetic, it can lead to a temporary imbalance.
No more than three corticosteroid injections per year per joint are recommended simply because if the first three have not had a sufficient effect, a fourth one will probably not be any more effective.
Note down the date, the product used and the effectiveness of the corticosteroid injections in your monitoring log or health record.
