Targeted Inflammation Relief
Corticosteroid Injections
Living with persistent joint or soft tissue pain can be debilitating, affecting your ability to work, enjoy hobbies, and even perform simple daily tasks. When conditions like arthritis, tendonitis, or bursitis cause severe inflammation, the pain can become overwhelming. While rest and physical therapy are often the first lines of defense, sometimes you need a more powerful, targeted treatment to break the cycle of inflammation and pain, allowing your body to heal.
Barrington Orthopedic Specialists is a leading provider of therapeutic injections, including corticosteroid treatments. Our team of board-certified orthopedic experts uses these powerful anti-inflammatory medications to deliver fast and effective relief directly to the source of your pain. Corticosteroid injections are a safe and minimally invasive option that can reduce swelling, alleviate discomfort, and improve your mobility, serving as a vital part of your comprehensive treatment plan. We are committed to helping you manage your pain so you can get back to living a more comfortable and active life.
Request an appointment to discuss with our specialists whether a corticosteroid injection is the right option for you.
What are Corticosteroid Injections? How This Medication Might Help You
Corticosteroids are powerful, man-made medications that closely resemble cortisol, a natural hormone produced by your adrenal glands. Cortisol has strong anti-inflammatory properties, and corticosteroid injections are designed to mimic and amplify this effect. When injected directly into a painful, inflamed joint or soft tissue area, the medication works to suppress the local inflammatory response at a cellular level.
The injection delivers a concentrated dose of the anti-inflammatory agent precisely where it is needed most. This targeted approach minimizes the medication's exposure to the rest of the body, which is a key advantage over oral steroids. By calming the inflammation, the injection effectively reduces swelling, stiffness, and pain. This relief is often significant and can last for several weeks or even months, providing a crucial window of opportunity for you to engage more effectively in physical therapy and other rehabilitative exercises.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Conditions Do Corticosteroid Injections Treat?
Corticosteroid injections are incredibly versatile and can be used to treat a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions characterized by inflammation. Our specialists may recommend an injection to manage pain and swelling associated with both acute injuries and chronic degenerative diseases.
Common conditions that respond well to corticosteroid injections include:
- Arthritis: Particularly osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis in joints like the knee, shoulder, hip, and hand.
- Tendonitis: Inflammation of a tendon, such as tennis elbow, golfer's elbow, or rotator cuff tendonitis.
- Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae, the small fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joints, commonly affecting the shoulder, hip, and elbow.
- Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: To reduce inflammation around the median nerve in the wrist.
- Trigger Finger: To decrease swelling in the tendon sheath, allowing the finger to move more smoothly.
- Plantar Fasciitis: Inflammation of the thick band of tissue on the bottom of your foot.
What Happens During the Injection Procedure?
A corticosteroid injection is a quick and straightforward procedure performed right in our office. The process is designed to be as comfortable and efficient as possible. First, the skin over the injection site will be thoroughly cleaned with an antiseptic solution to prevent infection. Your doctor will then precisely identify the target area, sometimes using ultrasound guidance to ensure the needle is placed in the exact right spot, especially for deeper joints like the hip.
Many corticosteroid injections are mixed with a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine. This provides immediate, short-term pain relief. You may feel a brief sting from the anesthetic and a sensation of pressure as the medication is injected. The entire procedure typically takes only a few minutes. Afterward, a small bandage is applied to the site, and you are usually able to go home shortly after.
What Should I Expect After Receiving an Injection?
Immediately after the injection, the local anesthetic will provide some pain relief, but this will wear off within a few hours. It is common to experience a temporary "steroid flare," where the pain at the injection site may briefly increase for 24 to 48 hours. This is a normal reaction as your body absorbs the medication and can be managed with ice and over-the-counter pain relievers.
The anti-inflammatory effects of the corticosteroid itself typically begin to work within two to seven days. During this time, it is often recommended to rest the affected joint for a day or two and avoid strenuous activity to allow the medication to take full effect. Many patients experience significant pain relief that can last for several months, although results can vary.
How Many Injections Can I Have?
While corticosteroid injections are very effective, they are not meant to be a permanent solution used indefinitely. The goal is to provide temporary relief that allows you to pursue long-term solutions like physical therapy. Repeatedly injecting the same joint can, over time, potentially weaken tendons and cartilage.
For this reason, your doctor will carefully manage the frequency of your injections. As a general guideline, most specialists limit injections into a single joint to about three or four times per year, with at least several months between each shot. Your doctor will create a treatment plan that uses injections strategically to maximize their benefit while minimizing any potential risks. If your pain continues to return quickly, it may be a sign that other treatment options, such as surgery, need to be considered.
Are Corticosteroid Injections Safe?
When administered by a trained orthopedic specialist, corticosteroid injections are a very safe and effective treatment. Complications are rare but can include infection, bleeding, skin discoloration at the injection site, or the temporary steroid flare mentioned earlier. Patients with diabetes may experience a temporary increase in their blood sugar levels for a few days following the injection.
Our team at Barrington Orthopedic Specialists takes every precaution to ensure the procedure is safe. We use sterile techniques and may use ultrasound guidance for precise placement to minimize risks. Before your injection, your doctor will discuss your medical history and any potential concerns to ensure this treatment is appropriate for you.
How Do I Schedule an Appointment for an Injection?
If you are struggling with persistent joint or tendon pain and think a corticosteroid injection might be right for you, the first step is to get a professional evaluation. At Barrington Orthopedic Specialists, we make it easy to schedule a consultation with one of our expert physicians to discuss your symptoms and treatment options.
We offer convenient online scheduling through our website, allowing you to request an appointment at a time that works for you. You can also call our office directly to speak with a member of our team. We look forward to seeing you and helping you find an effective solution for your pain.