Steroid Injection Information
- Steroid injections work by decreasing inflammation, which results in decreased pain.
- With every injection there is a risk of pain, allergic reaction, bleeding, and infection. We do our best to minimize and avoid these by using appropriate technique.
- If you have diabetes, the injection may cause your blood sugars to elevate temporarily.
- Typically the steroid is mixed with lidocaine, a numbing medicine. This medicine will start working in 5 to 10 minutes and wear off after about 30 minutes.
- It is good to remember how much your pain decreases during this time. (100% relief means that all of your pain is gone and 0% relief means that your pain is unchanged)
- Blank: % relief after 10 minutes
- Sometimes the steroid and needle from the injection can irritate the area causing increased pain for the first week. You may take anti-inflammatories and use ice to decrease the pain and inflammation from the injection.
- You should not do any strenuous activity for a few days after the injection.
- The steroid usually starts working in 3-5 days and can take up to 2 weeks for full effect.
- If you are not having adequate relief of your symptoms after 2 weeks, please contact us so we can consider alternative treatment options.