Last update:
20-Sep-2007

Local injections of corticosteroids are widely used for the treatment of a variety of musculoskeletal problems. They can be given intra-articularly, periarticularly or into soft tissues. Despite their widespread use, there is still controversy regarding their clinical effectiveness and there is no consensus on several questions concerning the correct usage and appropriate injection technique. In this article, through review of the literature, the indications, contraindications, mechanisms of action and side effects of corticosteroid injections are presented and analyzed. The effectiveness of local corticosteroid injection in various conditions is discussed, questions regarding the practice and technique of the injections are addressed (such as frequency, dose, use of local anesthetic agents, site and accuracy of the injection, resting after injection etc.), and practical suggestions regarding the use of these injections in everyday clinical practice are given.

Key words: Corticosteroids, Local injection.