Steroid Injections / Cortisone Injections

How Do Steroid Injections Work? Steroid injections work by preventing mRNA cells from producing cytokines—chemical messengers that drive inflammation. By blocking this inflammatory process, steroids help interrupt the cycle of pain and allow the affected tissue a chance to recover. Benefits of Steroid Injections? ​ The main benefit of a steroid injection is to reduce pain and improve your day-to-day function. This has been well-supported by decades of evidence-based literature confirming both safety and efficacy.For patients already engaging in rehabilitation, a steroid injection can create a valuable window of opportunity to progress, as pain is better managed in the short term.Recent research also shows that steroid injections can help reduce dependence on opioids and other oral pain medications. Evidence-Based Knee Injections for the Management of Arthritis | Pain Medicine | Oxford Academic ​ ​ ​​​​​​​​​​​​

How Long Do Steroid Injections Last? ​ The effectiveness of a steroid injection depends on the condition being treated, as well as factors such as age, health, and lifestyle. Osteoarthritis  For chronic conditions like osteoarthritis, global data suggests pain relief typically lasts around 3 months. The Magnitude and Duration of the Effect of Intra-articular Corticosteroid Injections on Pain Severity in Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis - PubMed Soft Tissue Injuries  Soft tissue problems like shoulder impingement, De Quervain’s tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and plantar fasciitis often respond well to steroid injections. In many cases, a single injection provides lasting relief. However, symptoms can recur, and 1–2 repeat injections may be required for longer-term improvement. ​ Considerations Risks​ ​ Current NICE guidelines recommend: No more than four steroid injections per year into a single body area A minimum 3-month interval between injections A maximum of 80 mg of steroid in that timeframe ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

This approach helps ensure both safety and the long-term effectiveness of treatment. Unlike steroid injections, Hyaluronic Acid (HA) injections carry no restrictions on how many you can have or how often they can be administered. This is because HA is a synthetic version of a natural substance already found in the body, primarily within the joints. Side Effects & Risks ​ Steroid injections are considered safe, with an extremely low incidence of adverse events. Efficacy and safety of intraarticular hyaluronic acid and corticosteroid for knee osteoarthritis: A meta-analysis - PubMed In my clinical experience, side effects are rare and generally mild. However, as with any procedure, some risks do exist. Potential side effects include: Post-injection flare (temporary pain increase for 24–48 hours) Facial flushing Local fat tissue loss (lipoatrophy) or skin thinning Very low risk of infection (estimated at