The Horrific Side Effects of Getting Cortisone Injections

Infection

Infections have become one of the most serious health risks and side effects associated with any type of internal medicine. Cortisone injections are no exception to this trend. Any time a patient's skin is pierced, bacteria and other germs can find their way in and cause an infection. It does not matter how small the injection site happens to be. Given that so many antibiotic-resistant bugs are popping up in hospitals around the world, individuals should avoid cortisone injections if their immune systems are compromised in any way. In fact, they may wish to avoid most injections whenever it is possible for them to do so.

Nerve Damage

One of the most serious risks associated with getting cortisone injections is the possibility of nerve damage. A small percentage of individuals who receive cortisone injections develop numbness, pain, or even partial paralysis. As the joints contain so many nerves, injecting anything into them carries at least some risk of causing nerve damage. This includes cortisone injections. Even though these cases are rare, they should not be taken lightly. Individuals considering cortisone injections should talk to their doctors about the possibility of nerve damage before receiving injections.