INTRA-ARTICULAR CORTICOSTEROIDS
WHAT IS INTRA-ARTICULAR CORTICOSTEROIDS
Intra-articular corticosteroids are medications injected directly into problem areas such as inflamed joints or tendons. When orthopedists give steroids orally or intravenously, they cannot be certain that enough medication will reach the problem area. This injection method allows orthopedists to treat patients with high doses of corticosteroids directly at the site of inflammation. Since it is localized, the rest of the body is spared the high concentration of the drug. Corticosteroids act on the immune system by blocking the production of substances that trigger allergic and inflammatory actions. The patient will not feel immediate pain relief but within a few days of the injection, patients should notice more flexibility and less pain in the affected joint or tendon. Corticosteroids are widely used for many orthopedic conditions such as arthritis.
WHAT WILL I EXPERIENCE DURING AND AFTER THE INJECTION?
Rest may enhance the benefits of intra-articular corticosteroids after the injection. The side effects are mainly related to the discomfort of the procedure, localized pain and flushing or redness of the skin in the post-injection area. Infection at the site of injection is also a possible side effect. Frequent injections into the same joint can cause cartilage damage. Orthopedists use this treatment sparingly after other options have failed and attempt to limit the number of injections to every few months, and only a few altogether for a particular joint.