• Physiotherapy Specialities
  • Find a Physiotherapist
  • Health Library A-Z
Hot Line(+234) 9090220008
HealthFlex
×
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Medical Visual Arts
  • Blog
  • Donation
  • Shop
  • FAQ

True face of steroid injections for osteoarthritis

True face of steroid injections for osteoarthritis
October 11, 2019SparksHealth InformationMedical ArticlesDegenerativeHip jointKnee jointSteroid injectionsWear and tear

Osteoarthritis (OA), also called degenerative joint disease, is the most common chronic condition of the joints. Since the disease is degenerative, it is the single most common cause of disability among older adults, with about 10 to 15 percent of all adults who are more than 60 years old have some degree of osteoarthritis, with more women affected than men.  Among Africans, the hip and knee joints are mostly affected.

The condition happens when the cartilage, which works by providing cushion at the ends of the bones in the joints, wears away and breaks down. As a result, the bones rub against each other, causing severe pain and swelling.

The most common signs and symptoms of osteoarthritis include pain, decreased range of motion, decreased flexibility, swelling, and stiffness. The common risk factors include obesity, old age, and family history.

Treatment of osteoarthritis focuses on increasing physical activity, muscle strengthening exercises, taking pain killers and anti-inflammatory medicines, supportive devices, and surgery.

Currently, osteoarthritis is treated with lifestyle changes, physiotherapy, medications (including steroid injections) and surgery especially for severe cases. However, a new study by researchers at Boston University School of Medicine found that steroid injections in the hips and knees of patients with osteoarthritis are more dangerous than previously thought.

Potential risks of steroid injections into joints

They discovered that accelerated arthritis and joint damage could be one complication and unintended result of corticosteroid injections.

Steroid injections may lead to joint collapse and may speed up the need for total hip or knee replacement. Usually, corticosteroids are used to stem inflammation in arthritis, and they’re usually injected into the joints to relieve pain and swelling.

The study, which was published in the journal Radiology, reveals how corticosteroids, though it can relieve pain and inflammation, is tied to complications that can potentially hasten the destruction of the joint.

“We are now seeing these injections can be very harmful to the joints with serious complications such as osteonecrosis, subchondral insufficiency fracture and rapid progressive osteoarthritis,” Dr. Ali Guermazi, chief of radiology at VA Boston Healthcare System and professor of radiology at BUSM, said.

“Intra-articular corticosteroid injection should be seriously discussed for pros and cons. Critical considerations about the complications should be part of the patient consent, which is currently not the case right now,” he added.

The study authors reviewed existing literature on the complications of steroid injections. They have determined four main adverse effects of the treatment, namely rapid joint destruction with bone loss, complications from osteonecrosis or bone tissue death, subchondral insufficiency fractures like stress fractures, and accelerated osteoarthritis progression with loss of the joint space.

 

Written by Angela Betsaida B. Laguipo, BSN

 

Add Comment Cancel


Recent Posts

  • What happens when you exercise?
  • Way to go?
  • The real me
  • Can osteoarthritis affect my emotions?
  • Secret of walking BEST

Recent Comments

  • Sparks on Cervical cancer
  • Sparks on Researchers identify molecular pathway underpinning exercise and improved motor learning
  • Sparks on The Crux of Low Back Pain
  • Sparks on Sing! Sing! Sing!
  • Cryptocurrency Prices on Sing! Sing! Sing!

Archives

  • June 2023
  • April 2023
  • March 2023
  • February 2023
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • December 2018

Categories

  • Educational Videos
  • Health Information
  • Medical Articles
  • News
  • Uncategorized

Tag Cloud

Educational Videos Health Information Medical Articles News Uncategorized

Calendar

October 2019
M T W T F S S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
28293031  
« Sep   Nov »

info@physiosparks.com

Enugu Nigeria

(+234) 9090220008

Latest News

  • What happens when you exercise? Jun 3

    During exercise, muscle contractions release chemical signals which promote brain...

  • Way to go? Apr 11

    Do you know that low back pain can be relieved...

  • The real me Mar 3

    Do you know that your genes, especially those in charge...

Copyright ©2022 Physiosparks, all rights reserved. Disclaimer. Privacy Policy
Designed and developed by Saches Creative