Are Cortisone Injections Dangerous?
Cortisone is a potent anti-inflammatory compound that offers quick pain relief for days, months, or years. A qualified medical provider, such as a health and wellness doctor, injects the cortisone directly into the affected joint. Many patients rely on cortisone shots to manage joint pain and inflammation. However, this treatment does have its drawbacks and risks.
What Do Cortisone Injections Do?
Cortisone is a synthetic steroid that mimics cortisol, a naturally occurring hormone. Cortisone temporarily hinders your body’s immunity by inhibiting the inflammation that otherwise happens to fight off infection.
Cortisone injections are a sought-after therapy for people suffering from arthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis. The injection delivers medication directly to the problem area—usually a joint—and reduces inflammation quickly.
Cortisone Shots and Their Risks
Despite their benefits, cortisone injections are not without risk. Frequent cortisone injections and higher doses can cause you to gradually lose cartilage. Essentially, as you’re getting short-term relief from pain, you could be worsening your condition. Cortisone injections almost always weaken and accelerate the degeneration of the tissue where they are injected.
Other risks of cortisone injections include
- Joint infection
- Death of nearby bone
- Nerve damage
- Lightening or whitening of the skin around the injection site
- Death of fat cells in area of injection leaving person with a dimple
- Permanent damage to skin tissue
- Short-term facial flushing, increase in blood sugar, and flaring of pain and swelling
- Tendon rupture or weakening
Healthy and Effective Alternatives to Cortisone Injections
We take joint pain seriously at Blatman Health and Wellness Center. Because of the potentially serious side effects of cortisone shots, we offer more natural, healthier, and often more effective alternatives to reducing pain and inflammation.
If you’re suffering from joint pain, you may want to consider opting for platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment. PRP injections from your local provider may help rejuvenate the joint instead of simply reducing the pain. Contact our Cincinnati or New York offices to learn more about alternatives to cortisone injections and schedule an initial consultation.
