Many of the problems that we see at our clinic involve musculoskeletal issues that can be treated in some situations with cortisone injections. Examples include plantar fasciitis and other inflammatory conditions. Some of our patients have other musculoskeletal problems and one of our patients recently told me that he wanted a cortisone injection but was concerned because he can only have a limited number of cortisone injections per unit of time.
In general we recommend no more than 3 cortisone injections at any one anatomical location over the course of approximately 12 months. However this same patient may also have to have a cortisone injection in their back, or in their elbow or shoulder. Then there becomes the concern of having too much extra cortisone any given time frame. There are alternatives to cortisone. We can do injections of sterile injectable Traumeel which is a non-cortisone-based anti-inflammatory. We generally do up to 3 of these injections approximately every 1–2 weeks. It's not quite as strong as cortisone but there is not the risk of potential tendon damage or cortisone overuse.
Another alternative is PRP, platelet rich plasma injections. We also do injections of Supartz, this is a synthetic joint lubricant. Supartz is not an anti-inflammatory but it hasn't excellent joint protection of fact and is very effective at treating intra-articular damage and arthritis. It has a protective effect on the existing cartilage.
If you have a condition and are worried about having too many cortisone injections and would like to consider alternatives please let us know. Either myself, Dr. Timothy Young or my partner, Dr. Brandon Nelson would be happy to review treatment options. Give us a call at 425-391-8666 or make an appointment online today.
