![]() The epidural area is like a fatty insulation around the spinal cord and spinal nerves. When spinal nerve inflammation causes intense pain and does not respond to other forms of treatment, an epidural steroid injection might be a viable option. For some patients, the relief lasts for quite some time, while some other people only experience short-term benefits from the shot. Usually, steroid injections do not cure the underlying condition, like arthritis, but they can alleviate some of the symptoms of the injury or illness. Steroid injections can reduce or eliminate intense pain, lessen inflammation, and allow a person increased function of the affected area. The Cleveland Clinic says that most people tolerate steroid injections well, and that they are one of the most effective treatments for certain types of pain. The guiding principle is to achieve the greatest benefits with the least risk. Everyone responds differently to medical procedures. ![]() Others do not see the results they wanted. Some patients get long-lasting relief from their first steroid injection. Also, patients should follow the instructions from the doctor’s office about preparation before the injection and steps to take afterward to minimize the risk of side effects and maximize the benefits of the shot. It is essential to disclose all relevant information to the doctor to aid the assessment of your risk. The precise number of shots and time intervals will depend on many factors unique to each patient, like age, other medications, and underlying medical conditions. The typical limits of steroid injections are three or four injections a year, about six weeks apart or more. Temporary flushing and feeling of warmth of the face and chest.Temporary increase in swelling and pain in the joint for up to 48 hours, followed by relief from the temporary and chronic discomfort and inflammation. ![]() Temporary blood sugar elevation in people with diabetes.Injection site thinning of skin and soft tissue.Discoloration of the skin at the injection site, turning light or white.Thinning of nearby bone, also called osteoporosis.Death of bone close to the injection site.The Mayo Clinic says that cortisone shot side effects can include: In patients with diseases or injuries that leave them with extreme pain and inflammation, steroid pills might still be necessary in addition to steroid shots.ĭoctors limit the number of steroid injections into a joint to minimize the risk of side effects. Damage to the tissue in and around the injection site usually only happens after a person has a large number of injections into the same area without waiting long enough between shots.īecause injections administer the steroid locally only to the affected area, as opposed to taking steroid pills that would distribute the substance throughout the entire body, injections generally are a safer method of treating pain and inflammation than oral medications. Minor, temporary side effects, like facial flushing and a feeling of warmth, happen to some people after a steroid shot. Possible Side Effects from Steroid Injections Steroid injections are outpatient procedures that doctors perform in their offices, ambulatory surgical centers, or hospitals. The injection procedure usually only takes a few minutes. The local anesthetic takes care of immediate discomfort, and the steroid works over time to reduce inflammation and pain. The injection itself is typically a local anesthetic and a corticosteroid medication. Sometimes people get relief from cortisone shots in smaller joints located in the hands or feet. Large joints like the hip or shoulder, and medium-size joints like the knee, elbow, wrist, ankle, or back can get steroid injections. Most steroid injections, also called cortisone shots, go into a joint. An Overview of Steroid InjectionsĪccording to the Mayo Clinic, doctors administer steroid injections to reduce inflammation and relieve pain in a localized area of the body. We evaluate how likely the patient is to benefit from the injection and the risk of complications. At WestCare, we carefully evaluate patients to determine whether they are good candidates for steroid injections. Every medical procedure has some risk of side effects, but steroid injections seldom cause problems for the patient. Patients often ask us if steroid injections have side effects, and how likely they are to occur. We offer steroid injections as an effective treatment for many different conditions. What Are the Side Effects of Steroid Injections and How Likely Are They to Occur?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |