One of the most effective ways to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, and improve the function of the affected area or extremity, is using steroid (corticosteroid) injections. These are used to treat arthritis, gout, sciatica, back pain, bursitis, tendonitis, and many more. Steroid injections are quite effective and are preferred by many physicians.
Are Steroid Injections Safe?
When used appropriately, steroids are not only safe and effective but also a common treatment option used for treating many orthopedic problems. However, steroids may not be the right option for everyone. There are certain things your physician will consider before giving you a steroid shot.
How Safe Are Steroid Injections Compared To Surgery?
Both the steroid injection and surgery are safe and effective procedures and your physician might recommend any of them based on the nature and severity of the condition, and comorbidities such as diabetes, blood pressure, etc.
With steroid injections, you can prolong the need for surgery for quite a long time, if you are getting substantial relief from the injections. Getting 3 to 4 injections per year is considered safe. Steroids have good anti-inflammatory properties and they relieve a range of problems, including swelling, pain, inflammation, etc. Steroids start to relieve pain within a few hours of administration and/or within a few days, depending on the type of steroid used.
Steroid injections have better efficacy when it comes to conservative treatment options and they last for months. Particularly, they have long-term efficacy when used in combination with home/physical therapy, splints or braces, etc. These injections are done after appropriate anesthetization, which makes the procedure relatively painless and tolerable.
Takeaway
Although steroid injections have many benefits, there are some temporary side effects associated with them. It is also important to note that the effects of steroid injection are different for everyone. To learn more about steroid injections, talk with our orthopedic specialists to find out whether it is suitable for your condition.
Carolina Regional Orthopaedics provides the most effective, modern, and innovative techniques in both Orthopedic Surgery and Pain Management using proven methodologies in both the surgical and non-surgical treatment of all conditions affecting the spine, upper extremities, and lower extremities. We specialize in hand and wrist surgery, joint replacements, sports medicine, trauma care, pediatric orthopedics, pain management, wound care, regenerative medicine, physical therapy, imaging services, and EMG testing