Common Side Effects The package insert for the arthritis injections says the most commonly reported problems associated with them include pain, swelling, heat, redness and fluid build-up around the knee. The manufacturer says these reactions are usually mild and don't last long.
Side effects and risks
However, some people may have pain, stiffness or swelling in their joint after the injection. There's also a small risk of infection. If you notice any symptoms after the injection, tell the person treating you.
But the problem with this approach is that every time you get a cortisone shot, you risk damaging the cartilage and tissue in your knee joint, which not only leads to irreversible joint damage, but more persistent pain in your joint that gets harder and harder to fix.
Possible side effects of steroid injections depend on where the injection is given. Side effects of injections into the joints, muscles or spine can include: pain and discomfort for a few days – paracetamol may help with this. temporary bruising or a collection of blood under the skin.
Generally, repeated and numerous injections into the same joint/site should be discouraged. Other complications may include depigmentation (a whitening of the skin), local fat atrophy (thinning of the skin) at the injection site and rupture of a tendon near the injection site.
Temporary pain or swelling in the knee joint may occur after receiving hyaluronic acid injection. Call your doctor if the pain or swelling in the knee persists or becomes worse after receiving this medicine.
The injection consists of two medications: Cortisone (a steroid) and Marcaine (a numbing agent). It is recommended that you refrain from any high level activities using your knee for approximately 48 hours. Routine activities including walking are permitted.
Get some medical advice if you have: any redness, pain, warmth, swelling or blistering at your injection site, or you get a fever – you could have an infection or abscess. a feeling like an electric shock when you inject, or any ongoing numbness or tingling – these are signs of nerve damage.
Contact with a nerve may cause 'pins and needles' or a brief shooting pain. This does not mean that the nerve is damaged, but if the needle is not repositioned, damage can occur. If this happens you should try to remain still and tell your anaesthetist about it.
Injections can also be administered in the wrong site. The most common error is steroid injections (for example, Kenalog) administered into the deltoid or thigh instead of gluteal muscle.
The corticosteroids used to treat osteoarthritis pain may worsen the condition over time, two new studies have suggested. A common treatment for some arthritis pain might actually be making the condition worse, according to two new studies.
Some people have a reaction to a cortisone shot called a flare. Usually, the cortisone flare occurs within 24 to 48 hours of the shot and causes pain or inflammation around the injection site.
Compared to patients who received an injection of hyaluronic acid or no treatment at all, patients injected with corticosteroids had significantly more osteoarthritis progression, including medial joint space narrowing, a hallmark of the disease.
Some individuals experience significant pain relief and improved knee function, allowing them to resume regular activities with less discomfort. However, it's important to note that knee gel injections are not a cure for arthritis, and the results may be temporary.
The gel injections tend to be effective for about 50% of patients, but for those that it works well for those patients tend to see improvement in VAS scores for at least 4-6 months.
Hyaluronic injections, also known as gel injections, involve injecting joints with hyaluronic acid to decrease pain and improve function. It is vital to ensure the hyaluronic acid is injected into the joint like cortisone. So, ultrasound guidance is recommended.
If a nerve is hit, the patient will feel an immediate burning pain, which can result in paralysis or neuropathy that does not always resolve.
Intramuscular injections commonly result in pain, redness, and swelling or inflammation around the injection site. These side effects are generally mild and last no more than a few days at most. Rarely, nerves or blood vessels around the injection site can be damaged, resulting in severe pain or paralysis.
Sharp pains in your hands, arms, legs, or feet. A buzzing sensation that feels like a mild electrical shock.
If you see blood in the syringe, you've hit a blood vessel. If this happens, pull the needle out of the skin without injecting the medicine. Discard the needle and syringe safely, such as in a special container for needles. Then prepare a new syringe with a new dose of medicine.
After the cortisone shot
Protect the injection area for a day or two. For instance, if you received a cortisone shot in your shoulder, avoid heavy lifting. If you received a cortisone shot in your knee, stay off your feet when you can. Apply ice to the injection site as needed to relieve pain.
There is evidence that having too many steroid injections into the same area can cause damage to the tissue inside the body. Your doctor will probably recommend you don't have more than three steroid injections into the same part of the body within a year.
A: The brace needs to be worn during the 4 to 6 week period after your injection while you're weight bearing, including and especially during exercise. You do not need to wear it while on a stationary bike, as it is not a weight bearing activity.
Post-injection flare, a short-lived increase in pain and inflammation occurring shortly after injection caused by a reaction to the injected material. Pseudo-sepsis, a rare allergic type reaction to viscosupplementation that can result in significant pain and swelling which can, at times, mimic infection.
Additionally, the majority of patients felt safe to drive following the injection. Thus, driving may be considered safe following intra-articular injection for knee osteoarthritis.