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Can Multiple Steroid Injections Cause Cartilage Damage?
Question: Hello...
I have a labral tear in one hip that has been managed for the last 6 years w/ cortisone injections, activity modifications, and home exercise. There is too much cartilage damage showing on MRI to try a repair, and I had a repair on my other hip and ended up with chondrolysis...so nobody wants to go there on this one.
Radiographic changes are minimal at this point - but the hip is starting to twist in the socket some under stress (like after my last FABER test), and it feels 'boggy' - like the other one did before replacement.
I am about to get injection number 9 on that hip. I have had 3 injections (possibly 4) on the other hip prior to getting it replaced. I recently read the data sheet for depo-medrol, and it indicated that it DOES spread systemically out of the joint.
I have also had some IV cortisone after abdominal surgery to prevent vomiting, and have had LOTS of intranasal steroids.
I am wondering if I am going to get too much exposure to steroids by continuing down this road.
Is it worth continuing the steroids, or am I putting myself at risk for other issues by doing this? am already aware of the potential to accelerate cartilage damage.
Am a caucasian female - 59, no ovaries, on estrogen supplements, very small bones. I am most concerned about causing myself osteoporosis.
If there is a different type of Dr. I should speak to, can you please let me know that?
I have a labral tear in one hip that has been managed for the last 6 years w/ cortisone injections, activity modifications, and home exercise. There is too much cartilage damage showing on MRI to try a repair, and I had a repair on my other hip and ended up with chondrolysis...so nobody wants to go there on this one.
Radiographic changes are minimal at this point - but the hip is starting to twist in the socket some under stress (like after my last FABER test), and it feels 'boggy' - like the other one did before replacement.
I am about to get injection number 9 on that hip. I have had 3 injections (possibly 4) on the other hip prior to getting it replaced. I recently read the data sheet for depo-medrol, and it indicated that it DOES spread systemically out of the joint.
I have also had some IV cortisone after abdominal surgery to prevent vomiting, and have had LOTS of intranasal steroids.
I am wondering if I am going to get too much exposure to steroids by continuing down this road.
Is it worth continuing the steroids, or am I putting myself at risk for other issues by doing this? am already aware of the potential to accelerate cartilage damage.
Am a caucasian female - 59, no ovaries, on estrogen supplements, very small bones. I am most concerned about causing myself osteoporosis.
If there is a different type of Dr. I should speak to, can you please let me know that?
Brief Answer:
Kindly speak to a Sports Medicine or Joint replacement specialist
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Thanks for the query.
Yes, Multiple steroid injections can hamper the normal functioning and healing of the damaged tissues like the cartilage if the labour. Usually one does not get so many injections into the joint.
I suggest you get Arthroscopic debridement or a hip replacement if there is arthritis as well. This will do good for your quality of life.
Systemic effects are rare with local joint steroid injections but the do have a chance of spreading systemically and can cause certain side effects.
You should get seen my a Sports Medicine or Joint replacement specialist for a possible Arthroscopic debridement, but if arthritis has already set in or the cartilage to debridement is very large, I suggest you get a total hip replacement.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Kindly speak to a Sports Medicine or Joint replacement specialist
Detailed Answer:
Hi there.
Thanks for the query.
Yes, Multiple steroid injections can hamper the normal functioning and healing of the damaged tissues like the cartilage if the labour. Usually one does not get so many injections into the joint.
I suggest you get Arthroscopic debridement or a hip replacement if there is arthritis as well. This will do good for your quality of life.
Systemic effects are rare with local joint steroid injections but the do have a chance of spreading systemically and can cause certain side effects.
You should get seen my a Sports Medicine or Joint replacement specialist for a possible Arthroscopic debridement, but if arthritis has already set in or the cartilage to debridement is very large, I suggest you get a total hip replacement.
I hope I have answered your query.
I will be available to answer your follow up queries.
Regards,
Dr. Aashish Raghu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Sonia Raina
The guy managing the injections is a sports med. specialist. He is also young and hasn't seen a hip w/ this many injections before.
What type of dr. would be best to talk to about the cortisone?
What type of dr. would be best to talk to about the cortisone?
Brief Answer:
Kindly speak to the Sports Medicine Specialist
Detailed Answer:
If it's best to discuss about the cortisone with him only because he is the one administering the injection.
Let me know if there's anything I can help you with this further
Regards
Kindly speak to the Sports Medicine Specialist
Detailed Answer:
If it's best to discuss about the cortisone with him only because he is the one administering the injection.
Let me know if there's anything I can help you with this further
Regards
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
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