Steroid injections are used commonly in orthopaedics clinics but how they work is often not discussed with the client. Read more to find how they work and can manage conditions such as Osteoarthritis, frozen shoulders and many more painful conditions.
Steroid injections always contain a Corticosteroid medicine and sometimes an anaesthetic. The anaesthetic is often the medication used by dentists and so can give short term relief, allowing the steroid medication to take effect within two days – two weeks.
Once in the body, the medication binds to receptors in the area to effectively interfere with the inflammation process. We call this the inflammatory cascade, which is the body’s natural response to injury or disease. This is often in overdrive in Osteoarthritis, frozen shoulders, trigger fingers and other painful muscle and joint problems.
As the body stops creating inflammation in the area, the body can absorb the inflammation and give pain relief. This is often enough to bring the balance back and reduce pain and increase function. In conditions such as trigger fingers and frozen shoulders, one or two injections can cure the problem.
Long term conditions such as Osteoarthritis, the medication can give relief for many months and often a repeat injection is advised alongside other therapy such as strengthening.
Our clinic is in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. We can advise you on the correct course of treatment to help you reduce pain and increase your function.