A steroid blockade is the local administration of a drug with strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. Blockades are performed only in case of severe pain that does not go away despite the use of other conservative treatments. The steroid is given by injection, preferably under ultrasound or fluoroscopy. Injection sites may include a joint, bursa, tendon sheath, nerve area, or subcutaneous tissue. It is worth noting that orthopedic blockade does not cure the cause of the disease, but can only inhibit inflammation and eliminate pain that is a symptom of a given disease.
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How do steroid injections work?
Steroid injections have a strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect, so they are used mainly in the presence of persistent inflammation in the musculoskeletal system. There are many preparations for injections available on the market, e.g. Diprophos. These agents are usually a mixture of a steroid and an anesthetic at the injection site.
A steroid blockade can also be diagnostic - it makes it easier to make a decision about the operation of the surgery. If the administration of a steroid to a given site relieves the pain, and the treatment of this lesion can only be surgical, it allows to avoid other treatment that would be ineffective in the long run.
How is the blockade procedure performed?
After disinfecting the skin of the injection site, the doctor prepares the medicine by drawing it into a syringe. Then, under ultrasound or fluoroscopy guidance, he very precisely inserts a thin needle into the inflamed area. The patient may feel a minimal prickle followed by a slight distraction as the drug is introduced into the tissue. The discomfort passes very quickly due to the action of the anesthetic drug contained in the injected mixture. The needle is then removed and the injection site is secured with a gauze pad. After injection, avoid excessive movements and overloading the treated area.
When does the blockage take effect and for how long does it stop the pain?
The proper anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect of the steroid begins on the 2-3rd day after the procedure. When the anesthetic has stopped working a few hours after the injection, pain may still be felt and is normal. Only on day 2-3 should pain relief be observed. The degree of pain relief varies - in some patients the pain disappears completely, in others the pain intensity is reduced. The analgesic effect of Diprophos lasts for about 3-4 weeks, although it may happen that it is possible to function without pain for an extended period of time (up to several months). The frequency of blockages depends on the place and the disease - the doctor decides whether it is necessary to repeat the injection. In general, it is recommended that no more than 3-5 steroid injections per year are performed at the same site.
Places where the block was given
The following are examples of conditions and pathologies that often require blockage:
Injection in the shoulder area (shoulder block) - bursitis,
Injection in the knee (blockage in the knee) - bursitis, degeneration of the knee,
Foot injection, ankle joint - tarsal sinus syndrome, additional triangular ankle conflict, plantar fasciitis,
Wrist block - gelatinous cysts (ganglions), de Quervain's disease, rheumatoid hand,
Hand finger blockade - rheumatoid hand,
Spine injection - sciatica blockade, sacroiliac joint blockade, read more about the spine injection procedure.
Intra-articular block (injections on joints)
Diprophos or another steroid injected into the joint does not cure the degenerative disease, but keeps the injected area of the body pain-free, which makes it easier to perform muscle-strengthening exercises in the run-up to surgery.
Tendon diseases and steroid blockage
Currently, injections with steroids are not being carried out in tendinosis diseases. Tendinosis is characterized by degeneration of tendon fibers with possible focal tissue necrosis, but no inflammation is found. Hence, the administration of a strong anti-inflammatory drug does not significantly affect the course of the disease and may even worsen the patient's condition. The negative long-term effects of the steroid administration, such as further weakening of the tendon structure and increasing the risk of its rupture, outweigh the short-term benefits in reducing pain.
Who might benefit from giving a block?
The sense of steroid blocking exists in the case of symptomatic treatment:
people with severe acute pain of inflammatory origin,
people suffering from chronic inflammatory diseases, e.g. rheumatoid arthritis,
people waiting for surgery,
people who cannot take oral anti-inflammatory drugs.
Side effects of the injection of steroids
Due to the appropriate qualification of the patient and diligence in the performance of the procedure, side effects of the blockade are rare. Possible side effects of blockage include:
local skin necrosis at the injection site,
infection at the injection site,
weakening of the mechanical strength of tissues (e.g. tendons),
increase in blood glucose levels and blood pressure (in case of a minimal amount of the steroid getting into the bloodstream).
Frequently asked questions about the delivery lock:
The knee block is the injection of a steroid with strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties into the knee joint. The procedure is justified in the case of inflammation of the knee bursa or the joint itself. The blockade can be given in the case of advanced knee degeneration - the steroid does not heal degenerative changes, but it significantly alleviates pain. The steroid is injected into the knee under ultrasound guidance.
A steroid blockade is the topical administration of a steroid-containing drug (e.g., Diprophos) that has strong anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties. The steroid is given as an injection under ultrasound or fluoroscopy guidance. Injection sites may include a joint, bursa, tendon sheath, nerve area, or subcutaneous tissue. A steroid blockade does not cure the cause of the disease, but inhibits inflammation and thus can effectively reduce the level of pain. It is recommended that blockages be performed only in case of severe pain that does not go away despite the use of other conservative treatments.
Due to the possible side effects in the form of weakening of the tissue structure, it is recommended not to administer the steroid to the same place more than 3-5 times during the year. The attending physician decides whether to repeat the injection.
