Steroid Injections for Joint Pain

Steroids are chemicals that occur naturally in the body. Steroid medicines can be used to reduce inflammation and are used to treat many different conditions, including arthritis. Steroid injections can be used to reduce inflammation in joints and soft tissues, such as tendons or tennis elbow.
A local steroid injection may be given to reduce inflammation and pain in a joint. Steroid injections may be used for people with rheumatoid arthritis or other causes of joint pain and swelling such as osteoarthritis, gout or frozen shoulder. Steroid injections may also be used for inflammation of soft tissues, such as:
• Bursitis
• Tendinopathies
• Shoulder Pain
• Trigger Points
• Ganglion Cysts
• Neuromas
• Nerve Compression
• Fasciitis

The main purpose of the steroid injection is to decrease pain and increase movement and use of the affected area. Steroid injections are usually well tolerated and much less likely than steroid tablets to cause serious side-effects.
The injected joint for 1-2 days after the injection and avoid strenuous activity for five days. The steroid injection can be repeated if the first injection is effective. However, you should not have more than four steroid injections into the same place in any 12-month period.