By Kenneth Cayce, IV, M.D.
Steroid injections are a useful tool for sports medicine and orthopedic physicians to assist in diagnosis and the treatment of pain, which is beneficial for both the patient and physician. Steroids can be injected into the knee, shoulder, elbow, hip, ankle, foot, wrist, hand, back, and soft tissues. Some side effects can be infection, bleeding, tendon rupture, rash, skin color changes, dimpling of the skin, and increased blood glucose (sugar). The type of steroid used depends on where the physician is going to inject, either into the soft tissue or joint. Patients should not get more than 4 injections per joint per year, which equals one injection every 3 months. Pain after the injection should be treated with ice and a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication. After the injection, patients should avoid strenuous activity for 10-14 days, but rehabilitative exercise can be started back in 2-3 days. There is currently no quality data to provide an answer to physicians on the efficacy of steroid injections. More methodically sound research is required to determine if steroid injections are beneficial for patients. Please contact Dr. Kenneth Cayce, a primary care/ sports medicine physician at Cincinnati SportsMedicine and Orthopedic Center, for further information or an evaluation.
Kenneth Cayce, IV, M.D., is a Primary Care/Sports Medicine Physician at Cincinnati SportsMedicine and Orthopedic Center. Dr. Cayce is currently accepting new patients by calling (513) 891-3200 for an appointment.
