Unlike anabolic steroids, sometimes misused by athletes, injectable steroids such as cortisone can boost healing times and decrease pain and inflammation. Injected steroids are used to treat joint inflammation from injury and arthritis, chronic back and neck pain and even acne. The injection and the steroid drugs can induce side effects, the severity of which dependent upon the location and amount of steroid injected as well as the health status of the patient.
Infection
Used for their anti-inflammatory properties, injected steroids can block the immune response at the injection site and set the stage for infection, according to American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine. The procedure for injecting steroids involves inserting a fine needle into a joint or muscle, providing a chance to introduce bacteria into the body. Symptoms indicative of infection including fever and swelling, pain or redness at the injection site may require antibiotic treatment.
Increased Pain at Site
The pain from the steroid injection can be minimized if the doctor numbs the area to be injected first. Despite this, some people report experiencing an exacerbation, or worsening of their pain syndrome for hours to days following the procedure, according to Arthritis-treatment-and-relief.com. This pain, sometimes referred to as a flare, is caused by the hardening of the steroid upon injection into the body. This pain should resolve within hours and will improve with use of ice packs.
Systemic Effects
The term systemic refers to the effects generalized throughout the body, which steroids are capable of soliciting. Most notable are the immediate increase of blood pressure and blood sugars, accoding to NYU Langone Medical Center. These side effects are of concern in those with hypertension, or high blood pressure and diabetes. According to Sportsmed.org, these systemic effects are temporary but should be monitored for 24 to 48 hours after the injection. Facial flushing and personality changes have also been observed with steroid injection.
Vasovagal Reaction
Reactions to the injection procedure could include a type of fainting, medically known as a vasovagal reaction. Similar to the physiological effects of someone holding their breath for an extended period of time, this condition results in decreased blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate and can lead to shock and death if not reversed immediately.
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