Daily Mail

D. Mail 16.10.19  “STEROID JABS FOR JOINT PAIN ‘CAN MAKE THINGS WORSE’”

Injections meant to relieve osteoarthritis pain may do more harm than good.  1,000s are given steroid injections, but experts now warn warn that the jabs may carry a significant risk.  US researchers looked at 459 adults given injections last year for hip & knee osteoarthritis.  Some who had the jabs were worse off.  In the worst cases, the arthritis of people given jabs worsened & they needed a hip or knee replacement months later.  Others had their joints destroyed, broke their legs or lost bone density.  Steroid injections tackle inflammation but they are thought to break down proteins that make beneficial cartilage slowing its production.  The study doctors recommend patients be made aware of the risks so they can weigh up the pros & cons themselves.  Dr Ali Guermazi, senior study author & professor of radiology at Boston Uni School of Medicine said that they usually told patients the injections can do no harm, “but now we suspect that this is not necessarily the case. These injections are likely not as safe as we thought” he said.  Published in “Radiology” journal.  

Now I find out! 

It did work for me by reducing the inflammation and swelling but I'm not taking any more if this is likely to happen.