Dr Mark Porter: Can a steroid injection help osteoarthritis?

Dr Mark replies

Some people with arthritic knees find steroid injections (cortisone) helpful, but there are downsides.

Every time you have the injection there is a small risk of infection or bleeding, and they can, in some people, accelerate bone and cartilage damage.

Plus, there is a potential risk of the steroid leaking into the rest of your body (some of it always does) where it can cause other problems, particularly raising blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, although this normally settles within a week.

But how many is too many? That depends on the individual and their circumstances. In your case, for instance, it would seem surgery is not an option so you may have to rely more on the injections than most people.

But as a rough guide, most doctors try to wait at least six weeks before repeating an injection and try to limit them to no more than three in a year.

Also, you may be able to help yourself. Lots of people with painful knees tend to limit their activity, understandably, but too much rest weakens thigh muscles (the quads), which can aggravate your symptoms.

So, it is important to try to keep active and maintain strong quads.