Cortisone injections can be a quick and effective way to treat tendonitisPlantarfasziitisbut it's not without its downsides. Steroid injections relieve pain and inflammation in the short term, but repeated injections can soften articular cartilage and tear tendons. It rarely corrects the underlying condition and should not be used as a treatment on its own. Multiple injections into the skin can cause damage and lead to atrophy and whitening of the skin. We rarely, if ever, use steroids in and around the Achilles tendon for fear of tearing. We need to be extra careful with diabetics as cortisone can raise blood sugar levels for the next 3-4 days.
Advantages
Insured
Fast office procedure
Sometimes instant relief
In contrast
Painful, scary
Increases blood sugar
can tear the tendon
Softens cartilage that aggravates arthritis over time
Doesn't solve the problem
May damage skin
With the advent of regenerative medicine, we have safer treatments for inflammatory conditions such as neuromas, ankle arthritis, plantar fasciitis, Achilles tendonitis, peroneal tendinitis, and posterior tibial tendonitis. We have needle-free and pain-free treatments; radial pulse therapy, also known as shock waves, kinesio taping and laser therapy as well as amniotic fluid injections for tendon tears.
If you have foot or ankle problems, give us a callMichele Kurlanski, DPMInLighthouse Foot and Ankle Center. dr Kurlanski provides expert and professional podiatry services in Cumberland County, Maine. PleaseGive us a calltoday at 207-774-0028 to schedule your appointmentOthersat our Scarborough office.