Arthritis Health Center

Arthritis and Steroid Injections

What Are the Potential Disadvantages of Steroid Injections?

Steroid injections are one of the most effective ways to decrease pain and improve function, yet they generally do not cure the illness.

In rare instances, the following side effects might occur:

• Infection
• Allergic reactions
• Local bleeding
• Rupture of a tendon
• Skin discoloration

Excessively frequent, repeated injections into the same area can cause the bone, ligaments, and tendons to weaken.

Not everyone will develop side effects. How often any side effect occurs varies from patient to patient. If steroid injections are infrequent (less than every three to four months), it is possible that none of the listed side effects will occur.

What Role Do Steroid Injections Play in an Overall Treatment Plan?

Steroid injections can be added to a treatment program that may already include pain medications, anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, occupational therapy, or supportive devices such as canes and braces. Whether one or more of these treatment methods are used depends on the nature of the problem.

For example, in an otherwise healthy individual, tendinitis may be adequately treated with only a local steroid injection. However, in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis, injections are generally a small part of a multifaceted treatment approach.