Cortisone or Hydrocortisone is a steroid which can be injected directly into joints that will help reduce any inflammation and any pain that you are feeling. It shouldn’t be confused with Anabolic Steroids (which are a Class C drug and require a prescription to obtain them), which are often used unsupervised to increase muscle mass.
Having a Steroid Injection can increase your mobility and the function of the affected joints or tissues. How? It will allow your Relive Physiotherapist to work on any area which is particularly painful without you being in agony. It means that we can do all the necessary things to get you better and out of pain for good.
Our Qualified Ultrasound Guided Injection Therapist, Raj Gandhi will be able to pinpoint with great accuracy the exact spot to inject, giving you the maximum benefit in the shortest amount of time possible. This is by far the safest and most effective method to get the Steroids into your system.
You will start to feel the benefit within 48 hours, with the maximum benefit occurring after 4-6 weeks. The benefits tend to last about 3-4 months, but, coupled with Manual Physiotherapy, this can be extended significantly. In fact, the majority of our clients that follow up a Steroid Injection with Physiotherapy don’t need to return to us.
We are not allowed to inject the same joint more than 3 times in a 12 month period.
Some GPs don’t offer Steroid Injections, or there is a long waiting list to get one, so they prescribe Oral Steroids to help with the Pain. This is a far less efficient method for the steroid to take effect, as you need to wait for the stomach to absorb the tablet so that it can enter your bloodstream and finally make its way around your body. It means that the dosage is much lower and a lot less targeted. People who take this type of medication often complain about the side effects : stomach pains and other stomach issues.
If you have an infection in the area where you are planning to have a Steroid Injection, then you will need to delay until the infection has cleared up. Raj won’t inject in an infected area, because it can be dangerous for you.Once you have had your Injection, you should try to rest the injected area for a couple of days (but this might vary depending on where you have had the injection). If you get too excited too quickly about your new found mobility and ability to do things you haven’t been able to do too quickly, then it can reduce how effective the Corticosteroids can be.You will be given specialist targeted exercises by Raj to do following on from your Injection Therapy. It is really important that you do these, as they will help strengthen the injected area and reduce the likelihood of you coming back for another treatment.As it takes a while for the Steroid Injection to be working at its best level, Raj will often book a Follow Up appointment with you to examine the area again and see how you are getting on. It is also an opportunity for him to see if there are any further exercises he can give you to help you.We do NOT do injections into the Spine. This is a highly specialised procedure and not one that is offered by Relive Physiotherapy.Raj will ask you about your medical history and your lifestyle. You need to make sure that you tell us absolutely everything as any incorrect or omitted information could put your health at risk.Any allergies that you might haveIf you are taking steroids, are epileptic or diabetic and taking medicationIf you have had surgery or are about to have surgery on the infected areaIf you have an infection or are feeling feverish or unwellIf you change your mind and do not want the Injection
There can be side effects associated with a Steroid Injection and it is important that you know about these so that you can make a decision about whether you think this treatment is right for you with as much information as you can find. These are extremely rare and mild.
Skin discolouration and/or dimpling where you had the injectionBruisingAn increase in pain in the first 48 hours – you can safely take pain killers if this helpsA change in your menstrual cycleMild facial flushing that can last up to 48 hours, but which will go away naturallyA change in your blood sugar levels for a few days, which is especially important if you are diabeticTendon rupture, although this is extremely rare. If you follow the instructions that you are given and rest properly after your Injection Therapy, then the likelihood of this happening is tiny.If you suffer any of the above side effects, then it is really important that you get in touch with us as quickly as possible. Infection and allergic reactions are extremely rare, but can happen. If the area that has been injected becomes red, hot, tender or swollen or you get a temperature, then you need to let us know and seek medical attention immediately.
Raj will do his utmost to ensure that you don’t get any side effects. He will never exceed the recommended dose and ensure that he is using all of the most up to date techniques and equipment to keep you safe as well as the Ultrasound machine to pinpoint the exact location for your injection. He will also thoroughly examine the injection area to make sure that everything is as it should be and he can proceed with your injection. It goes without saying that he will clean the site thoroughly to ensure that it is sterile, wear gloves and use sterile, single use equipment. He will show you that the steroid is in date and answer any questions that you have.
Your safety is paramount and minimising any side effects is our priority.
