Corticosteroid Injection
Corticosteroids are powerful anti-inflammatory medications that are very effective in alleviating pain caused by joint inflammation. For some people, this medication can provide long-lasting relief when injected directly into a joint.
Typically, doctors inject a small amount of anesthetic in addition to corticosteroids. The anesthetic can provide short-lasting but immediate pain relief in the knee, which in itself is an important piece of diagnostic information—if the anesthetic relieves pain, doctors can rule out other sources of discomfort, such as a muscle strain. This anesthetic wears off a few hours after the injection, at which time knee pain may return. This is normal. The corticosteroid begins to work two to three days later.
In some people, a corticosteroid injection provides pain relief that lasts for many months, and in others, the injection doesn’t work at all. Most people experience some pain relief, lasting for a few weeks or months.
Doctors recommend no more than two or three corticosteroid injections in the knee per year. If used too frequently, corticosteroids may cause side effects including weakening of soft tissues in the knee and skin discoloration at the injection site. In addition, corticosteroid use can increase blood sugar levels and may not be appropriate for people with certain metabolic conditions, such as diabetes.
