Patient’s frequently ask as how long the effects of steroid injections will last. To answer this fully we need to consider a few different factors. Steroids when injected into the tissues or a joint will stay in the body. Exerting its effects, for a couple of months. We always, where possible, use long lasting steroids in order to try to give the maximum length of benefit.
The effects of steroid injections depends on tissue change
Most recent studies talk of pain relief lasting from 1-3 months usually. However this may be influenced by the degree of changes within the tissues being injected. For example, a knee joint where there is marked and widespread degenerative changes and osteoarthritis may not settle for as long after a steroid injection than a joint with more mild changes.
Diagnostic ultrasound
We always perform a diagnostic ultrasound before our injections. We can therefore advise you as to the health of the tissues prior to the injection. An idea of how long the effects of steroid injections might be expected to last can be better ascertained by this procedure. However, this is never a precise science and there are a number of other factors that influence the extent of pain relief and how long it will last.
The effects of steroid injections on exercise
Steroid injection should rarely be a stand-alone treatment. Along with your injection you would normally be advised of an exercise and a rehabilitation program. The idea being that the steroid injection provides a ‘window of opportunity’ for you to rehabilitate through exercise and strengthening.
Effects of steroid injections as a cure
There are some exceptions. Some injections may ‘cure’ a problem – an example here would be trigger finger or de Quervain’s tenosynovitis. Both of these conditions often times do not return following a steroid injection – this is thought to be due to the circumstances that create these problems. Also advice on technique and activity management may help recovery along with the injection.
We provide private practice ultrasound guided injections. If would like to discuss having a steroid injection please do not hesitate to contact us on injections@complete-physio.co.uk or call direct on 02074823875