Injection of Glucocorticoids is given to reduce pain and inflammation and thereby encourage healing in many different types of inflammatory and non-inflammatory conditions.
Common Indications Of Glucocorticoid Injections
Intra-articular Injections
For relief of pain and inflammation in inflammatory arthritis
Treatment of synovitis not responding to drugs
To correct deformity
Local Injections are used for
Enthisopathies like Tennis elbow
Compressive neuropathies like Carpel Tunnel Syndrome
Tenosynovitis
Epidural Injections are given for
Simple Low back pain not responding to treatment
Prolapsed Inter-vertebral Disc with Root Pains
Nerve Injections or blocks
Post infection neuropathies like Post
herpetic neuralgia.
Neuralgias like Trigeminal neuralgia.
Contra-indications And Complications
Introduction of infection
Skin atrophy at injection site (by long acting Glucocorticoids in local injections)
Increased pain due to Crystal deposition leading
to synovitis.
Tendon rupture (by inadvertent injection in
the tendon)
Temporary loss of Diabetic control in case of
brittle Diabetes.
Note: All these problems can be avoided by proper technique and good pre-evaluation
Post-injection Advise To The Patients
Pain may increase after the injection for a day
or two.
Benefits are delayed and take a few months
The site of injection or joint should be rested for 24 to 48 hours
The effectiveness of the procedure depends upon many factors like a large swollen joint will respond better than a joint with crepitus and instability with major damages as seen on X-rays.
Post injection exercise and mobilisation should be carried out as advised by the doctor
The joint should be supported or splints should be used to get the best results
No strenuous activity should be done for five days after the injection
