If you suffer from neck or back pain, our orthopedist can provide treatments to bring you relief. One of the most common treatments used to treat pain is steroid injections. Commonly injected in joints, this treatment helps to temporarily relieve pain and inflammation. The benefit of steroid injections is that they offer effective relief at the pain site, unlike orally taken medications that go through the digestive system and get distributed throughout the body.
Like all treatments, steroid injections have some side effects that you should be aware of and discuss with your doctor prior to getting the treatment.
Pain or Swelling at the Injection Site
You may experience pain or swelling around the injection site. In fact, many people report feeling more pain symptoms than normal immediately following a steroid injection. This is a temporary issue that will subside within a few days. If you experience such symptoms, applying ice can reduce discomfort. Your doctor will likely advise you not to use heat because it can worsen the problem. If your pain is persistent, taking over-the-counter pain relievers to combat the pain and swelling can be effective.
Temporary Rise in Blood Sugar Levels
Diabetic patients may notice a temporary increase in blood sugar levels after a steroid injection is administered. Your orthopedist will discuss this possibility with you and advise you on how to get it under control quickly, so you don’t suffer any consequences.
Infection
Any time you have an opening in the skin – no matter how big or small – microbes can enter and cause an infection. Experienced and qualified doctors understand this and take steps to mitigate risk. For example, clean needles and equipment are used, and prior to administering the injection, the area is cleaned with antiseptic wipes.
If the injection site does become infected, you may experience redness, pain, or swelling for a prolonged period, typically lasting longer than 48 hours. If you notice this happening, you should immediately seek advice from your practitioner regarding treatment for the infection.
Skin and Tissue Changes
Skin and tissue changes may develop due to steroid injections. Most often, this happens in people who receive repeated steroid injections or when the treatment is given in higher dosages. With this side effect, you may notice the skin around the injection site is paler than your skin tone. The soft tissue near the injection site may be thinner, as well. Talk to your doctor about the possibility of this side effect and what can be done about it.
Nerve Damage
In some cases, a steroid injection may cause nerve damage at the injection site. If this happens, you’ll experience pain, numbness, weakness, or tingling in the area. Nerves can often repair themselves unless they’re severed completely. Talk to your physician about the possibility of this issue and what can be done about it.
Steroid Injections by Experienced Orthopedic Surgeon in Rochester Hills, MI
If you want to learn more about steroid injections and whether it is the right treatment for you, talk to the experts at Ahlgren Spine today. Our orthopedic surgeon will thoroughly evaluate your condition and medical history before providing effective treatment options. Whether you have a disc herniation, disc degeneration, sciatica, or another issue affecting your spine, we can help.
Find a solution to your neck or back pain, including the option of surgery, by reaching out to Ahlgren Spine today. We serve Rochester Hills, Bad Axe, Royal Oaks, and the surrounding areas. Call (248) 215-8080 or using our appointment booking tool.
