Skin Get Red After Injection, Pains
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I recently got an injection of Depo Medrol wi/ lidocaine in my foot, for pain relief due to (very bad feet, according to my podiatrist!) I have gotten them before and with good results. This time however, a few days after the injection, the site became a bit reddened and is painful. No fever, no other symptoms, but I am worried about a possible infection.
Thanks for posting the query.
Your podiatrist might be right about you having very bad feet, but it has to have a diagnosis. There are a thousand conditions that can affect your foot. So until we have a name for it there cannot be a treatment. Ask him if he has identified your condition, or if you need investigations like x-ray or MRI (Magnetic Resonant Imaging).
Now for whatsoever pain your doctor is giving you the depomedrol injection, it is imperative that you know its side effects. One of the known side effects is redness as you have. This alone is not evident for infection, at least not just yet. If redness is followed by swelling, local rise of temperature and severe pain on movement of foot, then one might say a possibility of localized infection. Till then just consider this as a part of side effect or a low grade infection that your body immunity can take care of.
I will advise you one thing though, that repeated use of steroid injections in joints and other soft tissues is not advisable. It has pain relieving effects no doubt but long term adversities should not be forgotten. Try doing some exercises rather, with help of a physiotherapist.
If you note any bad symptoms other than redness and pain, visit your physician immediately and start antibiotics. I hope this helps you, if you need more help I'm available for follow up.
Regards.