What is Injection Therapy?
Southwest Foot & Ankle Centre provides injection therapy services in our Bunbury and Australind clinics.
Simply put, injection therapies are medications that are injected directly into areas such as joints, tendon sheaths and nerve irritations where patients experience acute or chronic pain.
Injection therapies can be useful as they are directly delivered to the site of injury, bypassing the digestive system, often providing a faster, more effective and longer-lasting effect. Though injection therapies may provide good therapeutic effect, they may also be used to help make or confirm a diagnosis.
For more information on injection therapy, contact Southwest Foot and Ankle Centre today on (08) 9791 1319 or book an appointment online!
What Are The Different Types Of Injection Therapies?
Most commonly, our clinicians will utilise cortisone (or steroid) injections. Occasionally, our clinicians may perform prolotherapy (dextrose) or hydrodilation (high-volume local anaesthetic/saline) injections as clinically indicated.
What Are Cortisone Injections And How Do They Work?
Cortisone is a type of steroid, which is similar (but stronger) to the body’s naturally produced hormone, cortisol. Cortisone is a strong, prescription anti-inflammatory that suppresses the body’s immune system, and thus reduces inflammation, pain and swelling at the site of injury.
What Type of Conditions Can You Use Injection Therapy On?
Cortisone injections can be used for almost any painful foot and ankle condition to reduce inflammation when not responding to other non-invasive treatments. Typical problems that may be treated include:
● Painful arthritis or inflamed joints of the foot and ankle
● Tendonitis or tendinopathies (e.g. Achilles tendinitis or peroneal tendinitis)
● Chronic heel pain (e.g. plantar fasciitis)
● Painful nerve-related entrapments or injuries (e.g. Morton’s neuroma)
● Plantar fibromas (e.g. nodules within the arch of the foot).
● Bursitis
How Quickly Do Cortisone Injections Work?
In general, there will be no significant improvement for the first few days until your body responds to the medication. Typically, cortisone injections may take up to seven-fourteen days to come into effect.
Our clinicians will often combine the cortisone with a numbing agent (local anaesthetic) to provide immediate pain relief during the injection and to aid in obtaining an accurate diagnosis.
Are Cortisone Injections Safe?
Cortisone injections have been used safely and effectively since 1949. When administered correctly by a qualified health professional, cortisone injections are safe and pose very little risk when used sparingly.
However, similar to all prescription medications, there are risks associated with administering cortisone. The chances of cortisone providing you with a benefit of pain relief in most patients outweigh the risk of experiencing side effect(s).
What Are The Possible Side Effects?
● Infection (<0.1%)
● Local temporary bruising, swelling or hypopigmentation (whitening of the skin)
● Allergic reactions (e.g. rash, itching, redness, hives, difficulty breathing or swallowing)
● Hot flushes, fascial flushing and mild mood changes (often resolves within 24 hours)
● Mild increases in blood sugar levels in diabetic patients for several days
What Do I Need To Do After An Injection?
What Do I Need To Do After An Injection?
Ensure that you reduce any excessive weight-bearing activities (rest) for the first 24-48 hours after a cortisone injection.
You may experience a transient increase in pain at the injection site (steroid flare) before the cortisone takes effect. Occasionally, this may be severe, but usually only lasts 24-48 hours and is treated with a cold pack, elevation and oral paracetamol. Please contact your clinician if any of the above side effects are experienced.
Southwest Foot & Ankle Centre is a podiatry clinic based in Bunbury and Australind that services all of the southwest region and WA.
Have a question? Contact Southwest Foot and Ankle Centre today on (08) 9791 1319 or book an appointment online!
