Cortisone Shots can Impede the Healing Process and Lower Rate of Full Recovery

A recent review of nearly four dozen randomized trials show that cortisone shots might not be the best option for aches and pains. While cortisone shots do offer patients quick relief from tendon injuries such as with tennis elbow, shoulder and achilles tendon pain, the long term study shows lower rates of full recovery. The research shows that the users of cortisone injections had a sixty-three percent higher chance of relapse compared to those who adopted the wait-and-see approach. The review also showed that getting more than one cortisone shot for the same problem resulted in much poorer outcomes, stating “an average of four injections resulted in a 57 percent worse outcome when compared to one injection,” Dr. Vicenzino said.

While cortisone shots do relieve the short term pain associated with tendinopathies, is it worth an increased risk in delayed healing and relapse?

The Balanced Body Center has many alternative treatment options to provide relief from pain in most areas of the body. We specialize in chiropractic care as well as physical and massage therapy. There are also many other treatment options available, including cold laser and neotone treatments to help aid the recovery with tendon injuries. Please give our office a call and set up an appointment today.

Link: http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/10/27/do-cortisone-shots-actually-make-things-worse/

Research Article Link: http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(10)61160-9/abstract

‍