“Cortisone injections for osteoarthritis. Do they work?”
I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my hands, and it's located just at the base of my thumb. I can't really do anything in that hand because of the pain and swelling. Right now, I've been resting my hand and using heat to soothe the pain, but I feel like it's not very effective. My doctor suggested cortisone injection, but I wasn't sure if those were a good idea. Are there any side effects?
4 Answers
Minimal. Get it.
The side effects are minimal especially with low doses that are typically administered in the hand.
It is worth a try. The amount given will not cause any side effects!
A corticosteroid injection (CSI) into the base of the thumb joint (basilar joint) is likely to provide significant but temporary relief of the arthritic pain in your thumb. The CSI may reduce pain and swelling for weeks to months but ultimately, the arthritis will progress.
Other non-surgical treatments include: ice or heat, oral & topical anti inflammatory medications, & splints or braces. Ultimately, if non-surgical treatments fail to provide adequate relief of symptoms, surgery is very successful at eliminating the pain in this joint, although a common result is mild residual weakness of pinch strength.
Steven M. DeLuca, DO
Other non-surgical treatments include: ice or heat, oral & topical anti inflammatory medications, & splints or braces. Ultimately, if non-surgical treatments fail to provide adequate relief of symptoms, surgery is very successful at eliminating the pain in this joint, although a common result is mild residual weakness of pinch strength.
Steven M. DeLuca, DO
