CORTICOSTEROID INJECTION THERAPY FOR OVERUSE INJURIES

Local corticosteroid injection therapy may be considered for many cond itions commonly treated by the primary care physician. Chronic overuse and flawed biomechanics may lead to inflammation in areas easily acce ssible to injected local corticosteroids, including bursae, tendon she aths and joints. It is generally preferable to mix the steroid prepara tion with an anesthetic agent to minimize the injection pain, provide immediate symptom relief and confirm the diagnosis. Local complication s of corticosteroid injection include tendon and ligament weakening, b acterial infections of joints and related structures, and cosmetically significant depigmentation and subcutaneous tissue atrophy. Systemic complications are rare but reportedly include hyperglycemia and adrena l axis suppression.