Corticosteroids—glucocorticoids, intra-articular and periarticular injection

General information

Local injections of glucocorticoids into and around the joints can have a dramatic therapeutic effect, but the catabolic effect can have serious consequences, including adverse effects on joint structure [ ] and on local tendons, subcutaneous atrophy, and possibly osteonecrosis. Provided the state of the joint is carefully inspected before any new injection is given, and the interval between the injections is not less than 4 weeks, the risk seems to be small enough to justify treatment in invalidating cases [ , ].

Organs and systems