You have been assessed as requiring a steroid injection

A corticosteroid injection is a powerful anti-inflammatory and can be very effective in giving pain relief when soft tissue or joints are inflamed. The below information may be useful if you have been assessed as requiring a steroid injection.

Risks

There is a rare risk of severe allergic reaction to the steroid known as anaphylaxis, and generally occurs in the first 30 minutes after the injection. If you experience any of the following symptoms in the days following injection please go straight to the Emergency Department, stating that you have had a steroid injection.

  • Feeling faint or dizzy or loss of consciousness
  • Generalised hives, itching, redness and/or rashes (not just around the injected area)
  • Swelling in the body or in the throat
  • Nausea, cramping, vomiting or diarrhoea
  • Tendons
  • Tendons may weaken when in contact with steroid resulting in rupture. This effect is thought to be very rare and may primarily affect damaged tendons already predisposed to rupture. Seek prompt medical attention if you experience new weakness in the affected body part.

Seek medical advice if you feel unwell, feverish or there are signs of infection around the injection site heat, redness, swelling or further restriction of joint movement.

Common side effects

The risk of a complication arising from a steroid injection is low and serious complications are extremely rare. However occasionally the following may occur and may require medical attention:

  • Some patients experience an increase in their pain for about 48 hours after the injection. Rest and simple pain killers and use of an ice pack usually help
  • Bleeding or bruising at the injection site
  • Facial flushing (warmth and redness) may occur. This will usually resolve after 24-72 hours and predominantly affects women. It is not an allergy and does not preclude future injections.
  • Possible raised blood sugar in patients with diabetes. You should monitor your blood sugar levels after a steroid injection for up to a week. Adjustment of diet or medication may be necessary.
  • Women may experience some irregularity of the menstrual cycle after injection
  • Thinning or discolouration of the skin or fat pad atrophy creating dimpling may occur.

More information about steroid injections and how they work can be found here.