Cortisone injections

Indications

  1. Trigger fingers
  2. De Quervain's tenovaginitis
  3. Tennis elbow

Mechanism of action

It is well known that cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory agent but it also has a mild softening effect which can be very useful when the condition has a narrowing or tightening component. A mixture of cortisone and a local anaesthetic, usually lignocaine.

Response to the injection

Generally the response falls into three broad groups. In some people the response is very quick within a few days but in the majority of patients it may take 2-3 weeks for the injection to work. If it has not worked by 6 weeks then it is unlikely to work.

Side effects

  1. Post-injection pain
  2. Skin changes
  3. Tendon rupture
  4. Allergy