Steroid injections are anti-inflammatory medicines used to treat a range of injuries and conditions that cause pain and swelling, including:
- Osteoarthritis
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
- Bursitis
- Tendonitis
- Lower back pain
- Arthritis
- Sciatica
- Inflammatory bowel disease
They can be given in several different ways, including:
- into a joint (an intra-articular injection)
- into a muscle (an intramuscular injection)
- into the spine (an epidural injection)
- into the blood (an intravenous injection)
Why Get Steroid Injections
The purpose of administering steroid injections is threefold:
- Diagnostic: If you get an injection into your knee or shoulder and your pain goes away, then many times the diagnosis is confirmed. Even if the shot only lasts for a few hours, we have gained valuable information.
- Therapeutic: The steroid quells inflammation and therefore makes the tissue in your shoulder or knee less swollen. This will interrupt the vicious cycle of injury–>swelling–>friction–>more injury.
- Maximizing Rehab: Even though the steroid will not be detectable in your joint several months later, many times the pain will not return. This is because the patient has been able to effectively rehabilitate by simply being able to participate in therapy and allowing the body to move in a more physiologic manner.
Welcome to Ashford Orthopedic Specialists, where we are devoted to keeping you strong, one step at a time.
