Ever wondered about Cortisone injections, here is some insight, associated side affects and recommendations. Cortisone injections function as the most powerful anti-inflammatory available to patients, as such, they break the cycle of swelling, pain and inflammation. Once this cycle is broken, normal motion and muscle firing patterns return, taking the strain off surrounding joints and muscles and allowing full function and return to activities. The standard guideline is to not inject a joint more than 3 times a year; this is to avoid potential damage to the soft tissue structures surrounding the joint and the bone itself. Known possible risks of cortisone injections include raising blood sugar, causing lack of blood supply to bone, infections, tendon or ligament weakening or rupture, bleeding and bruising, and reversible whitening of the skin. Medical professionals recommend a trial of physical therapy or Biokinetics along with ice and anti-inflammatory medication (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) prior to joint injections. NSAIDs are used as first line treatment for inflammation instead of steroidal anti-inflammatories (cortisone). “Last week a study was published in the Annals of Internal Medicine. Comparing three months of physical therapy to cortisone injections of the shoulders and showing physical therapy to use less medical resources than injections. After a year, both physical therapy and injection groups fared the same.” A common suggestion of when to use cortisone first line, is if there is severe pain - limiting sleep and activity. ow.ly/3oPglP
Posted on: Sat, 23 Aug 2014 09:06:23 +0000
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