Here’s a regular question and something that often comes with some myths and misconceptions.

It’s true that corticosteroid injection can be helpful at reducing joint pain for many conditions in the short term (up to 3-6 months potentially, but not always - it depends on the person and the experience/ skill of the person administering it).

We see a more elderly population sometimes report much needed  and sometimes dramatic relief from these injections too. 

But we have very little evidence to support medium to long term benefit, in fact we even see younger people who receive regular CSI to the knee have worse long term outcomes on occasion compared to those that don’t. 

What we should be putting into context is that the real benefit of these potentially is what this pain relief in the short term may allow us to do to help the long term.

We can be more mobile, get fitter, get stronger and address some of the issues that can aggravate osteoarthritic knee pain that may be limited or difficult when pain is present. 

They provide the controversial “window of opportunity” to rehab and / or lifestyle change.

In the elderly this can literally be the difference between independent living and / or being affected by severe mobility issues.

Do I have a major issue with people receiving them? 

Well In short no, as long as the education and balanced “what it will do and what it won’t do” conversation happen first and the patient or athlete comes to an informed decision.

And of course if their use is diligent and sensible. 

Too many people simply receive regular jabs from a GP/PCP without any other advice or intervention.

Where I do have an issue is if this isn’t addressed or if they are overly administered without education, particularly in the athletic population as a way to make it through a training plan or to make it to a start line.