Millions of people around the world suffer from chronic pain. For some, medication and therapy provide relief. But for others, traditional treatments don’t work. In these cases, doctors may recommend steroid injection therapy as a treatment option.
Steroid injection therapy is a treatment in which the therapist injects cortisone directly into the joint. Cortisone is a type of steroid that helps to reduce inflammation. This, in turn, can help to relieve pain and stiffness.
Steroid injections are generally safe, but there are some risks associated with the therapy. These include infection, tendon rupture, and skin problems.
If you’re considering steroid injection therapy as a treatment option, it’s important to talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits.
Steroid Injection Benefits
Steroid injection therapy is a treatment for patients with joint pain, inflammation and stiffness. The therapist will inject the steroids into the joint to help reduce the pain and inflammation. Patients may experience some relief from their symptoms within a few days after the injection. The effects of the steroid injection can last for several weeks or longer. This type of therapy is usually reserved for patients who have not responded to other forms of treatment, such as physical therapy and oral medications.
Steroid injections can be an effective treatment for joint pain and inflammation because they help to reduce the amount of inflammation in the joint. This can help to improve the range of motion in the joint and reduce the amount of pain that the patient experiences. The injections can also help to improve the function of the joint and make it easier for the patient to perform everyday activities.
patients who receive steroid injections may experience some side effects, such as pain at the injection site, temporary numbness or tingling in the treated area, or a temporary increase in inflammation in the treated joint. These side effects are usually mild and resolve on their own within a few days. Serious side effects from steroid injections are rare but can include infection, nerve damage, or tendon rupture.
How to prepare for your first steroid injection
If you are considering having a steroid injection to treat your joint pain, inflammation or stiffness, there are some things that you can do to prepare for the therapy. Here are a few tips:
-Talk to your doctor about whether steroid injection therapy is right for you.
-Find out as much as you can about the therapy and what to expect.
-Ask your doctor what you need to do to prepare for the therapy.
-Make sure that you understand all of the risks and potential side effects of the therapy.
– Follow your doctor’s instructions on how to care for your joint after the injection.
What to expect after your cortisone injection
After you receive a steroid injection, it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions on how to care for your joint. Here are some tips:
-Rest the joint for 48 hours after the injection.
-Apply ice to the joint for 15-20 minutes every few hours for the first day after the injection.
-Take over-the-counter pain medications, such as ibuprofen, as needed for pain relief.
-Elevate the joint above the level of your heart to reduce swelling.
-Wear a compression bandage over the injection site for 24 hours after the therapy.
most patients will experience some relief from their symptoms within a few days after the injection. The effects of the steroid injection can last for several weeks or longer. If you do not experience any relief from your symptoms after a few days, or if your symptoms return after a period of improvement, contact your doctor.