Steroid Injections in Charlotte
A cortisone or steroid injection is a non-surgical approach to reduce inflammation and pain in the joints, lower back, and conditions like sciatica. Steroids come in various forms like tablets and injections. However, steroid injections are applied directly in the problem area which provides faster pain relief at a lower dose and with less side effects.Â
The steroid injections for pain contain corticosteroid medication and a local anesthetic to help relieve the pain during the procedure. Depending on your condition, your doctor will inject the medication in any of the following:
- Inflamed joint (Intra-articular injection)
- The soft tissue near the joint (Peri-articular injection)
- Muscle (Intramuscular injection)
- Tendon
- Nerve
A steroid injection is a simple procedure that helps a wide range of conditions like managing sciatica pain through epidural steroid injection. With the guidance of fluoroscopy, the steroid is injected into the epidural space to reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and relax the irritated spinal nerves around the area. It also allows patients to have better mobility to perform other treatments like physical therapy.Â
Aside from back pain, steroid injections can also be used for joint pain, such as arthritic conditions, bursitis, and tendonitis. The following joints can be treated by steroid injections, including but not limited to:
- Knee
- Hip
- Shoulder
- Elbow
- Ankle
The type of steroid medication used depends on the severity of your condition. Soluble steroids are fast-acting but subside within a week. The other type, which is a less soluble steroid medication, lasts for months but takes almost a week to take effect.Â
The patient’s medical condition is the determining factor in the duration of the steroid treatment’s effect. Some patients have stronger pain tolerance, while others are more sensitive to pain. Though effective in relieving pain, steroid injections can cause blood sugar and blood pressure to rise. Patients must seek medical advice about their medical condition before taking any steroid medication.
Unlike other pain treatments, steroid injections are not for long-term use. A patient can only have a maximum of three to four steroid injections per year to avoid health risks due to the side effects. With limited uses, steroid or joint injections are still a crucial pain relief option due to the following benefits:
- Provides temporary pain relief as you transition to long-term pain treatments
- Contains a lower dose of steroid medication, leading to fewer side effects
- Provides immediate and fast-acting pain reliefÂ
- Improves your mobility to perform rehabilitation exercises