What is a steroid? 
Steroids are a manmade version of hormones normally produced by the body.
 

What does it do ? 
When injected into a joint or bursa, steroids reduce pain and swelling (inflammation) in the area. This helps relieve pain and stiffness.

What do I expect after the injection?
A steroid injection also contains local anaesthetic. When injected into the area causing pain you should feel relief of symptoms within a few minutes.

 

The steroid will take a longer time to work usually within 5-7 days. A single injection in conjunction with physiotherapy may be all that is needed.

 

A small proportion of patients have persistent symptoms and require surgery.

 

I ask patients to sit in the waiting room after the injection for 15 minutes and have something to drink before driving. If you dizzy or unwell you should not drive.
 

Can a I have repeated cortisone/ steroid injections?

 

Generally repeated injections are not advised to increased side effects and diminishing benefits. In my practice 2 steroid maximum a year is safe.
 

What are the side effects?
A steroid injection is very safe. Generally it a single shot is given and targeted to a specific area to minimise risks.
 

• Infection. Less than 1/5000

• Allergic reactions. Rare usually due to local anaesthetic.

• Local bleeding.

• Rupture of a tendon. Less than 1/3000

• Flare up -A steroid flare-up is a short-term increase in pain, swelling, or irritation that can occur after a steroid injection. It usually happens within 24 to 48 hours of the injection and can last up to a week

• Skin discoloration (Hypopigmentation)