• Corticosteroid injections provide rapid and targeted pain relief, with many people noticing significant improvement within just a few days of treatment.

• They are particularly effective for short-term management of inflammation, helping reduce swelling, ease discomfort, and restore range of motion quickly.

• These injections support continued rehabilitation by making movement more comfortable, allowing patients to engage more effectively in physiotherapy, exercise, or daily routines.

• Corticosteroids can be administered in various areas, depending on the location of pain or inflammation:

  • Large joints such as the knees, hips, and shoulders

  • Smaller joints like fingers, wrists, and toes

  • Soft tissues including tendons (e.g. rotator cuff, Achilles) and bursae (fluid-filled sacs that cushion joints)

• Often used during flare-ups, corticosteroids can be part of a broader treatment strategy to manage chronic or recurring joint and tendon conditions.

What to be aware of:

• Effectiveness: Corticosteroids are effective at reducing inflammation and pain, but they do not address the underlying cause of the issue.

• Long-Term Risks: Repeated use, especially multiple injections in the same area, can weaken cartilage and lead to tendon weakening or rupture in soft tissues.

• Recommended Use: Corticosteroids are typically recommended as a short-term solution to manage flare-ups or support a rehabilitation plan, not as a long-term treatment.

• Fast-Acting Relief: Corticosteroid injections provide quick relief from inflammation-related pain.

• Useful for Acute Issues: They are effective for managing acute pain, swelling, or flare-ups in both joints and soft tissues.

• Caution Advised: They should be used carefully and not too often, particularly in weight-bearing joints or around tendons, to prevent long-term tissue damage.