At Dynamic Regenerative Medicine we are offering cortisone injections in Warwickshire for the treatment of muculoskeletal pain and/or injury. Cortisone (corticosteroid) injections are often used for treating many musculoskel pain conditions, like joint arthritis, chronic tendinitis and bursitis. Corticosteroid injections are anti-inflammatory injections that often help by reducing inflammation and pain. They are considered safe treatments with side effects tending to be mild. However, there are a few things that should be considered before having a cortisone injection.
How Do Cortisone Injections Reduce Inflammation?
Corticosteroid is a potent anti-inflammatory treatment used to treat pain. These injections usually work within a few days, and the effects can last for a number of months. Often cortisone is mixed with local anaesthetic to reduce any post treatment soreness.
What Are Cortisone Injections Used To Treat?
Corticosteroid injections are used to treat many pain conditions where inflammation is present. Common conditions include:
– Joint arthritis
– Shoulder tendinitis
– Joint bursitis
– Frozen shoulder
– Tennis/golfers elbow
– And many more...
Side-effects of corticosteroid injections
Like any drug, there is always a possibility of side-effects or reactions. Although, these are generally very uncommon.
Systemic Side Effects
Systemic side effects of a local injection of cortisone are usually mild, unlike taking oral steroids. It is important to be mindful of the following:
1 Elevated Blood Sugar
The most common systemic side effect is seen in diabetic patients. Patients with diabetes are advised to monitor their blood sugar following a treatment. If the blood sugar rises more than anticipated, you should contact the surgery who manages your diabetes to see if additional treatment is necessary.
2 Facial Flushing
Some patients may experience flushing sensation and redness of their face.
Local Side Effects
1 Post injection soreness
Although not very common, some patients may experience discomfort after the treatment and may experience a post-injection flare 24 to 48 hours after.
2 Infection
Although rare, with any injection procedure there is always a chance of infection. To maximise avoidance of this the area mid skin will be sterilised prior to treatment.
3 Skin Pigmentation Changes
Patients with darker skin should be aware that cortisone may cause the skin around the injection site to lighten, however, this is often present in superfecial injections.
4 Fat Tissue Loss
Increased levels of cortisone can have detrimental effects on soft tissues in the body. When injected local to fat tissue, cortisone can lead to fat loss, which can lead to dimpling of the skin or thinning.
5 Tendon Rupture
Although good for reducing inflammation, cortisone injections can cause local tissue damage and weakening of tendons. This is why are you are limited to a certain amount of injections. This is also another reason why it is advised that you are not injected into a tendon as it can lead to tendon rupture. This is another reason why it is advised that cortisone should not be injected into a loading tendon, example Achilles tendon, patella tendon.
6 Cartilage Degradation
Reports have identified that repeated cortisone injections can be damaging for cartilage long-term. Studies have shown that cartilage degradation has been identified with repeated steroid injections causing further degenerative changes.
Overall, cortisone injections are considered safe, but risks and side-effects can be present with any drug related procedure and should be acknowledged. Many clinicians will offer an injection as they are quick, easy, and most often effective. However, you should also be offered other treatments to combat pain and inflammation as many treatments can also be effective, like platelet rich plasma (PRP) treatment or hyaluronic acid treatment, which again can treat many forms of pain or injury. Platelet rich plasma therapy is also know as ortho-biological treatment and is complete natural, which the potential for tissue regeneration.
Treatment Plan
There is no particular number of injections that can be given, but often, clinicians do not want to give more than 3 due to the risk of soft tissue damage. Unfortunately, steroid injections can be short lived. If an injection wears off quickly or does not help the problem, then repeating it may not be worthwhile. Repeated cortisone injections multiply these effects and increase the risk of potential problems.
Further information can be found here: musculoskeletal cortico-steroid injection treatment.
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Don’t let pain, joint damage, sports injuries or arthritis get in the way of allowing you to do what you want. We are a specialised clinic offering pain relieving cortisone injections in Stratford Upon Avon. Schedule a consultation at Dynamic Regenerative Medicine today, and let us treat your injury, provide pain relief and get you back to your full and active lifestyle. We have clinics operating out of Henley-In-Arden & Birmingham.
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