Foot Or Ankle Steroid Injections
You may be curious about a steroid injection for the foot and ankle and how does it help? Well, a steroid injection contains medicine created from a group of drugs known as corticosteroids. This injection assists with reducing swelling, stiffness and pain in your foot and ankle, acting as the natural hormones your body produces to halt inflammation in a non-invasive and non-surgical manner!
When will I need a steroid injection?
There are various reasons your GP or podiatrist may suggest you undertake steroid injections. Most commonly, if medication or physical therapy hasn't helped at all with your pain. However, rehabilitation includes shots along with other medications or physical therapy.
A steroid shot is given as an option before a more severe route is taken, such as surgery on your foot or ankle. There are two forms to take steroids, as an injection or orally - oral steroids tend to come with more side effects. A steroid injection in your foot and ankle may pose the following risks in minor casees:
Infection.
Vein puncture.
Weakened tendons.
Cartilage deterioration.
Thinning of bones.
Bone deterioration.
Due to these issues, your doctor or podiatrist may recommend only a few treatments per year.
Scary, I know, but steroid injections do come with some advantages. Typically, they take just a few minutes and are usually given in a doctor's or podiatrists clinic, and depending on the area, you'll either sit or lie down. Your podiatrist will put numbing medicine on the injection site or blend it in with the injection, you may feel a bit of pinching and a possible burning sensation, but it quickly goes away. And, the best part? You have to rest for a few days afterwards!
Standard foot and ankle conditions requiring steroid injection
Steroid injections treat foot and ankle conditions such as:
Gout
Plantar fasciitis
Ankle osteoarthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis
Achilles tendinopathy
Osteoarthritis in ankle
Tarsal tunnel syndrome
Posterior tribal tendonitis
Once you have a steroid injection, you'll feel pain relief within hours or a couple of days. The timing all depends on the type of injection you receive. But, even with risks, a steroid injection can be highly effective in easing your foot and ankle pain.
If you’re experiencing pain in your foot or ankle, book an appointment today to see one of our full qualified and HCPC registered podiatrists.