An orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Joshua John-Ram Schacter, explains that multiple studies show steroid injections damage the tissues they are injected into (tendons, ligaments, joints). Repeated injections into the same area accelerate tissue damage and progression of arthritic disease, increase risk of complications from further interventions, and may complicate subsequent surgery.
The problem with steroid injections overall is one we know very conclusively from many, many studies that steroid injection damages the tissue that we injected into. And this counts for tendon, this counts for ligament, this counts for joint. So any tension that we would put a steroid into will be damaged over time, especially if we do multiple steroid injections into the same area. And as an orthopedic surgeon, I've spent years and years doing multiple steroid injections into the same area. Believe me when I tell you that you see patients who have multiple steroid injections do have progression of their arthritic disease. And oftentimes, steroid not only damages the inside of your joint and the tissues surrounding it, but it also creates an environment that increases your risk of complications both from further injections and interventions, and then also from surgery.
She Traveled from Colorado for a Different Approach to Knee Pain | Lois’ Story
