Steroid injections, also known as corticosteroid injections, contain synthetic versions of hormones that your body naturally produces, such as cortisol. They are often used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain in various medical conditions, including arthritis, allergies, skin conditions, and certain musculoskeletal problems.
If you suffer from shoulder pain that is the result of ailments and you have tried physical therapy and painkillers without much success, you may want to consider steroid injections as part of your treatment plan. The level of relief that is associated with steroid injections could be a considerable choice. Usually, common shoulder injections involve the use of corticosteroids, which are referred to as steroid injections.
Types of Shoulder Steroid Injections
There are four types of shoulder steroid injection and they include:
- Bursal injections
These aim for the bursa above the shoulder tendons. The injection treats pain from the rotator cuff, tendinitis or the shoulder.
- Shoulder joint injections
They target the shoulder ball and socket joint, specifically treating frozen shoulder or shoulder joint arthritis.
- Acromioclavicular joint (AC joint) injections
These are used for acromioclavicular degeneration. This condition causes pain at the top of the shoulder.
- Long head of biceps tendon injection
This injection treats biceps tendonitis which causes pain in the front of the shoulder.
A cortisone shot on the shoulder can also treat the build-up of calcium in the tendons. Usually, calcium buildup leads to shoulder pain and stiffness.
Are Steroid Injections for the Shoulder Safe?
Steroid injections for your shoulder are anti-inflammatory in nature. They are injected after applying numbing spray on the shoulders, which results in a slight numbing pressure. But are these injections safe?
Steroid injections are safe when administered by a qualified healthcare professional for appropriate medical reasons and at the recommended dosages.
It is important to have a thorough discussion with your healthcare provider before receiving a steroid injection. They can provide you with information about the risks and benefits, answer any questions you may have, and help you make an informed decision based on your specific medical condition and needs. If you experience any unusual or severe side effects after a steroid injection, it’s crucial to contact your healthcare provider immediately.
According to medical experts, local injections are well-tolerated and are less likely to produce serious side effects. But if these injections can’t get the job done, doctors prefer to take it a step further and use steroid injections for your shoulder pain.
Scientifically, cortisone injections are safe and reliable for use. However, it’s important to understand that they’re pain relievers. A majority of them alleviate pain temporarily as they lower inflammation. There are also cortisone shots that treat shoulder pain permanently.
Also, these injections are only safe for use without the presence of infections. They are not recommended if your shoulder joint is already severely destroyed. In some cases, fluid from the shoulder joint will have to be tested before injection to ensure safety.
If you’re taking anticoagulants (blood thinners), steroid injections may cause bleeding to the injected site. In this case, great caution is applied. Your doctor will always guide you on the process and take you through how they will administer the injections.
The Concern
Like with any other type of treatment option, there are risks of possible side effects, the first being over-dependency on the injections. When you rely on steroid injections as the only way to treat your shoulder pain, you may be highly dependent on the relief. To avoid this, your doctor should administer these injections in good measure.
Also, common risks like bruising of the injection site and skin discolouration should be considered.
Summary
Not all patients with shoulder pain are good candidates for steroid injections. It’s up to your physician to evaluate your case carefully and determine whether these injections are a good option. When administered correctly, they are a safe and dependable pain relief option.
It is important to have a thorough discussion with your healthcare provider before receiving a steroid injection. They can provide you with information about the risks and benefits, answer any questions you may have, and help you make an informed decision based on your specific medical condition and needs. If you experience any unusual or severe side effects after a steroid injection, it’s crucial to contact your healthcare provider immediately.
