Pain due to working out:the truth about cortisone

[gallmond1977]

For those experiencing pain due to working out (mods move this if needed)

The stories regarding the dangers of cortisone come from years ago when it was first introduced and it was used in larger doses (the consequences were not yet recognized). Cortisone, in shot and pill form, is a valuable treatment tool for a wide variety of conditions. Many people have fears about its use, some of which may be justified. Today, with a careful assessment of the benefits, cortisone is a very useful and effective tool in any Orthopaedic practice.

What is cortisone?

It is a hormone produced by a small gland on top of the kidney called the adrenal gland. It is essential to the proper functioning of your body, particularly when under stress. Its absence is known as Addison's Disease, which without treatment is fatal. Cortisone is a normal body product therefore; there are no allergic reactions. In cases of people with severe allergies, it is one of our most effective treatment tools. Cortisone by itself is rarely used today as it is relatively short acting and of low potency. Semi-artificial cortisone derivatives, such as DepoMedrol, Celestone, Kenalog, and a number of others, are used with increased benefits and fewer side effects.

How is cortisone effective?

Cortisone is useful in suppressing inflammation in the short term, and in the long term, dissolving scar tissue, stabilizing the body's defenses, speeding the healing process, and is very effective in causing certain cysts to disappear. It does however, have a weakening effect on tendons if injected directly into them. It can also soften cartilage when injected into a joint. (Information comes from experiments on animals and not human beings.)

How many injections are needed?

In spite of surrounding folklore, there is no specific limit to the number of cortisone shots that can be given. Practical concerns are, if the shot does not work, then why repeat it? If it does work, cortisone is extremely effective and not too many shots are needed. There is a limit to the amount of cortisone given in one dose, even if injected in several areas of the body; this varies depending on the size and physical condition of the person.

What are the different types of injections?

Cortisone falls into a group of chemicals called steroids. It is very different from anabolic steroids commonly abused by weight lifters or competitive athletes. The cortisone/steroid injections, used in medical practice, fall into three broad categories, articular injections, "trigger point" injections, and epidural steroid injections. The first articular or joint injections are preceded by an aspiration withdrawing joint fluid or blood. Joints commonly injected are the shoulder, knee, ankle and small joints of the hand and foot. Most of the injections can be followed by a booster injection 2 to 4 weeks later. A good limit is three injections over a three-month period of time (an injection to another location can be done at any time).

The "trigger point" injection is done to a tendon area or into the bursa surrounding such joints as the shoulder, knee, or the hip. These follow the same guidelines as articular injections as far as frequency.

An epidural steroid injection is another category. It is neither a joint nor "trigger point" injection but, rather an injection inside the bony column of the spine surrounding the dura (the sac that encloses the spinal cord and spinal nerves). Lumbar epidural injections are a relatively simple technique. Hey are done several inches from the spinal cord and are unlikely to be accompanied by complications except, perhaps a headache. Cervical (neck) epidural injections are a very specialized technique done in our office only by skilled and experienced anesthesiologists. Epidural steroid injections are useful for a variety of back conditions including sciatica, arthritis, degenerative disc problems, and spinal stenosis.

Is the injection painful?

Some cortisone injections can be painful. Injections into an area that is already inflamed are more sensitive. Some areas, such as the hand and foot are particularly sensitive and a freeze block is used before injection. Other areas, such as the knee and shoulder are only moderately uncomfortable.

Cortisone shots are generally accompanied by an anesthetic such as Carbocaine or Lidocaine. This deadens the area and indicates where the shot should be placed (the pain will go away about an hour while the anesthetic works). Most people who have reactions or allergies to cortisone really have the reaction to the anesthetic agent of the epinephrine (adrenaline), which may be in some forms of the injection. Epinephrine can cause tachycardia (rapid heart beat) in some patients. For others, the sight of a needle will cause this reaction and the feeling of being faint is often misinterpreted as an allergic reaction.




Pain Management of Spinal Disorders
What You Need to Know About Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medications: Use When Prescribed
Spinal Disc Replacement: The Development of Artificial Discs
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI): Damage Control and Treatment
Ergonomics: Introduction to Guidelines for Nursing Homes
TSRH-3D Spinal Instrumentation
Article written 09/01/1999
Published online 09/01/1999
Last updated 08/11/2004


This article on cortisone injections is quite informative and the information is accurate. Even though the success rate of epidural steroids varies among different studies, I generally agree with the author that cortisone injections can be helpful to treat pain and inflammation in many patients with spinal disorders. It also can serve to prevent surgery in some patients. It should be emphasized that epidural steroids are indicated for patients with a herniated disc or spinal stenosis with radiating leg pain, not just low back pain. Cervical epidural steroids are more technical in nature and are not advised for patients with severe stenosis because of the risk of potential spinal cord injury. Although rare, epidural steroids also can result in epidural abscess. Other complications may include spinal fluid leakage and nerve root injury. Finally, the patient should be informed about the temporary nature of epidural steroids. In general, cortisone injections serve to decrease pain and inflammation temporarily so that the patient can resume the rehabilitation more effectively. It is the combination of rehabilitation and cortisone injections that results in long-term improvement, not just cortisone alone. Even though cortisone injections should be part of the treatment options for spinal disorders, more scientific studies are needed to validate the specific indications.


Howard S. An, M.D.



Eric D Walker, MD
Idaho Falls, Idaho
208-227-1200
Michael Boyer, MD
McAlester, OK

David Hagstrom, MD
Lubbock, TX
806-792-7888
Mark A Cox, DC
Bedford, Texas
(817)545-1100

[Defiant1]

For those experiencing pain due to working out (mods move this if needed)

The stories regarding the dangers of cortisone come from years ago when it was first introduced and it was used in larger doses (the consequences were not yet recognized). Cortisone, in shot and pill form, is a valuable treatment tool for a wide variety of conditions. Many people have fears about its use, some of which may be justified. Today, with a careful assessment of the benefits, cortisone is a very useful and effective tool in any Orthopaedic practice.

What is cortisone?

It is a hormone produced by a small gland on top of the kidney called the adrenal gland. It is essential to the proper functioning of your body, particularly when under stress. Its absence is known as Addison's Disease, which without treatment is fatal. Cortisone is a normal body product therefore; there are no allergic reactions. In cases of people with severe allergies, it is one of our most effective treatment tools. Cortisone by itself is rarely used today as it is relatively short acting and of low potency. Semi-artificial cortisone derivatives, such as DepoMedrol, Celestone, Kenalog, and a number of others, are used with increased benefits and fewer side effects.

How is cortisone effective?

Cortisone is useful in suppressing inflammation in the short term, and in the long term, dissolving scar tissue, stabilizing the body's defenses, speeding the healing process, and is very effective in causing certain cysts to disappear. It does however, have a weakening effect on tendons if injected directly into them. It can also soften cartilage when injected into a joint. (Information comes from experiments on animals and not human beings.)

How many injections are needed?

In spite of surrounding folklore, there is no specific limit to the number of cortisone shots that can be given. Practical concerns are, if the shot does not work, then why repeat it? If it does work, cortisone is extremely effective and not too many shots are needed. There is a limit to the amount of cortisone given in one dose, even if injected in several areas of the body; this varies depending on the size and physical condition of the person.

What are the different types of injections?

Cortisone falls into a group of chemicals called steroids. It is very different from anabolic steroids commonly abused by weight lifters or competitive athletes. The cortisone/steroid injections, used in medical practice, fall into three broad categories, articular injections, "trigger point" injections, and epidural steroid injections. The first articular or joint injections are preceded by an aspiration withdrawing joint fluid or blood. Joints commonly injected are the shoulder, knee, ankle and small joints of the hand and foot. Most of the injections can be followed by a booster injection 2 to 4 weeks later. A good limit is three injections over a three-month period of time (an injection to another location can be done at any time).

The "trigger point" injection is done to a tendon area or into the bursa surrounding such joints as the shoulder, knee, or the hip. These follow the same guidelines as articular injections as far as frequency.

An epidural steroid injection is another category. It is neither a joint nor "trigger point" injection but, rather an injection inside the bony column of the spine surrounding the dura (the sac that encloses the spinal cord and spinal nerves). Lumbar epidural injections are a relatively simple technique. Hey are done several inches from the spinal cord and are unlikely to be accompanied by complications except, perhaps a headache. Cervical (neck) epidural injections are a very specialized technique done in our office only by skilled and experienced anesthesiologists. Epidural steroid injections are useful for a variety of back conditions including sciatica, arthritis, degenerative disc problems, and spinal stenosis.

Is the injection painful?

Some cortisone injections can be painful. Injections into an area that is already inflamed are more sensitive. Some areas, such as the hand and foot are particularly sensitive and a freeze block is used before injection. Other areas, such as the knee and shoulder are only moderately uncomfortable.

Cortisone shots are generally accompanied by an anesthetic such as Carbocaine or Lidocaine. This deadens the area and indicates where the shot should be placed (the pain will go away about an hour while the anesthetic works). Most people who have reactions or allergies to cortisone really have the reaction to the anesthetic agent of the epinephrine (adrenaline), which may be in some forms of the injection. Epinephrine can cause tachycardia (rapid heart beat) in some patients. For others, the sight of a needle will cause this reaction and the feeling of being faint is often misinterpreted as an allergic reaction.




Pain Management of Spinal Disorders
What You Need to Know About Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Medications: Use When Prescribed
Spinal Disc Replacement: The Development of Artificial Discs
Spinal Cord Injury (SCI): Damage Control and Treatment
Ergonomics: Introduction to Guidelines for Nursing Homes
TSRH-3D Spinal Instrumentation
Article written 09/01/1999
Published online 09/01/1999
Last updated 08/11/2004


This article on cortisone injections is quite informative and the information is accurate. Even though the success rate of epidural steroids varies among different studies, I generally agree with the author that cortisone injections can be helpful to treat pain and inflammation in many patients with spinal disorders. It also can serve to prevent surgery in some patients. It should be emphasized that epidural steroids are indicated for patients with a herniated disc or spinal stenosis with radiating leg pain, not just low back pain. Cervical epidural steroids are more technical in nature and are not advised for patients with severe stenosis because of the risk of potential spinal cord injury. Although rare, epidural steroids also can result in epidural abscess. Other complications may include spinal fluid leakage and nerve root injury. Finally, the patient should be informed about the temporary nature of epidural steroids. In general, cortisone injections serve to decrease pain and inflammation temporarily so that the patient can resume the rehabilitation more effectively. It is the combination of rehabilitation and cortisone injections that results in long-term improvement, not just cortisone alone. Even though cortisone injections should be part of the treatment options for spinal disorders, more scientific studies are needed to validate the specific indications.


Howard S. An, M.D.



Eric D Walker, MD
Idaho Falls, Idaho
208-227-1200
Michael Boyer, MD
McAlester, OK

David Hagstrom, MD
Lubbock, TX
806-792-7888
Mark A Cox, DC
Bedford, Texas
(817)545-1100

Uhhh....Cortisone works by suppressing the immune system. That's why it works against inflammation and allergies (auto-immune problems). Not something you want to do casually.

[gallmond1977]

Where have you read that cortisone works by suppressing the immune system?

[Nainoa]

I think you might be confusing Cortisone and Cortisol...

[gallmond1977]

who me?

[Nainoa]

Sorry... I should have hit "Quote"... I was referring to defiant...

Actually I could have used this cortisone info, when they were talking about it as a treatment option for my partially torn ab back in September.

[Defiant1]

I think you might be confusing Cortisone and Cortisol...

No, cortisol INCREASES inflammation.

[velikimajmun]

cortisone does work by suppressing the immune system (more innate than adaptive) by blocking the release of proinflammatory cytokines. This isnt always a bad thing (ie I'm not anti-cortisone) as many of the problems we can have from a health perspective and especially a pain perspective are ultimately controled by the immune system.

If you want studies

check out

www.pubmed.com and search for reviews with cortisone in the title.

If you want more basic info try

www.webmd.com

[Defiant1]

cortisone does work by suppressing the immune system (more innate than adaptive) by blocking the release of proinflammatory cytokines. This isnt always a bad thing (ie I'm not anti-cortisone) as many of the problems we can have from a health perspective and especially a pain perspective are ultimately controled by the immune system.

If you want studies

check out

www.pubmed.com and search for reviews with cortisone in the title.

If you want more basic info try

www.webmd.com

Thanks, you beat me to
it.

All corticosteriods are immuno-suppresants.