When You Should Consider Steroid Injections

Joint pain is a significant issue that affects millions of people, causing disability and a decrease in quality of life. Various medical conditions lead to joint pain, including injuries and arthritis.

Managing joint pain is often tricky and may include taking over-the-counter medications, physical therapy, and modifying your daily activities. However, these treatments aren't always successful, leaving you wondering what's next.

Steroid injections are an excellent option for joint pain when other treatments haven't worked. If you're in pain and looking for long-term relief without surgery, a steroid injection may be the next step.

Dr. Steven J. Svabek is an orthopedic surgeon who offers various treatments for joint pain, including steroid injections. Dr. Svabek carefully evaluates your symptoms and condition to determine if a steroid injection suits your needs.

The facts on steroid injections

Steroids, also known as corticosteroids, are manufactured drugs that closely resemble cortisol, a hormone the body produces that decreases inflammation and manages the immune response.

Steroid injections work similarly to cortisol by reducing inflammation and immune response in joints affected by arthritis or injury.

Doctors use steroid injections over oral or IV steroids because they can deliver a concentrated amount of the drug into a specific area of the body. The concentrated dose works quickly in the problem area instead of getting lost in the GI tract or bloodstream.

It's important to understand that the steroids in these injections are different from those athletes use to build muscle, which they often abuse.

Steroid injections are safe and effective, with minimal side effects and risks. Although they don't treat the underlying cause of inflammation and pain, corticosteroids do provide long-term relief from discomfort and a boost in your quality of life.

Who needs a steroid injection?

Many people can benefit from steroid injections, especially those who are living with joint pain in the shoulders, knees, back, and hips.

Dr. Svabek may recommend a steroid injection for injuries or chronic conditions, which include any of the following:

• Tendinitis
• Bursitis
• Osteoarthritis
• Sciatica
• Gout
• Plantar fasciitis

Rheumatoid arthritis is another form of the disease that steroid injections can help. These injections work by reducing inflammation and pain in the affected joint.

You may opt for a steroid injection when you have joint pain that doesn't respond to other forms of treatment but you're not ready for joint surgery.

When to consider a steroid injection

Steroid injections are minimally invasive but still come with risks, so it's best to understand the benefits and risks before deciding to get one.

Because they are mildly invasive, Dr. Svabek doesn't usually recommend steroid injections as the first line of treatment for joint pain or inflammation. In most cases, he recommends conservative treatments first, including physical therapy and ice or medications.

However, if joint pain persists despite conservative treatments, the next step may be a steroid injection. If you're living with symptoms like pain and inflammation in the hip, knee, or shoulder joints or back, a steroid injection can help.

Although a steroid injection does have some risks, they're generally mild compared to more invasive surgery. When other conservative measures haven't relieved your pain, and you want to avoid orthopedic surgery, consider a steroid injection for long-term relief.

Dr. Svabek evaluates your condition to determine if steroid injections are the right treatment option for you. In most cases, they provide quick and efficient relief from joint pain without damaging the tissues around it.

To schedule a steroid injection, don't hesitate to call Dr. Svabek's team today at his Coral Springs, Florida office or request a consultation using our convenient online booking tool.