The Horrific Side Effects of Getting Cortisone Injections

Osteoporosis Or Osteonecrosis

Cortisone injections are most commonly used to treat arthritis patients, including those who have rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Thus, the majority of the individuals who receive these injections are seniors or are at least middle-aged. Bone health is a crucial part of overall health for seniors. However, evidence indicates that one of the horrific side effects of cortisone injections for some individuals is osteoporosis or osteonecrosis. Osteoporosis is a weakening of the bones, and osteonecrosis is the death of bone tissue. Some senior citizens, particularly women, are already at a high risk of developing osteoporosis. This makes cortisone injections a fair amount riskier for older patients, especially women.

Bruising

All injections, including the flu shot or a simple blood test, run a small risk of bruising for the patient. However, cortisone injections lead to bruising more often than other injected medications or similar procedures due to their pharmacology. Corticosteroids can stimulate blood flow. This can make bruises worse and even lead to subcutaneous bleeding in some patients. Some individuals report bruising more easily after cortisone injections, and not just on the area of their body where they received the injection. Patients should always report any bruising or skin discoloration following cortisone injections to their primary doctor immediately.