What are the effects and risks of corticosteroid injections for tennis elbow?

Apr 18, 2023 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Lin Yunfei

Introduction

The effects of corticosteroid injections for tennis elbow include pain relief and improvement in restricted movement, while potential risks include subcutaneous tissue atrophy and infection. Tennis elbow is generally caused by aging or prolonged wrist activities, leading to lateral epicondylitis. Under stimulation by inflammatory factors, patients experience severe pain in the elbow joint. Corticosteroid injections can exert an anti-inflammatory effect, thereby helping to alleviate pain.

Tennis elbow, also known as lateral epicondylitis, is a condition in which corticosteroid injections (commonly referred to as "block injections") may provide benefits such as pain relief and improved range of motion, but also carry risks including subcutaneous tissue atrophy and infection. A detailed analysis is as follows:

I. Benefits

1. Pain Relief

This condition is usually caused by aging or prolonged wrist activities. Patients may experience severe elbow joint pain due to stimulation from inflammatory factors. Block injections can exert anti-inflammatory effects, thereby helping to alleviate pain.

2. Improved Range of Motion

Patients with lateral epicondylitis often have restricted movement due to intense discomfort in the elbow joint during physical activity. By reducing this discomfort, block injections can help improve mobility limitations.

II. Risks

1. Subcutaneous Tissue Atrophy

The hormonal components in block injections may irritate subcutaneous tissues, potentially causing temporary subcutaneous atrophy. This side effect can generally be relieved through local massage.

2. Infection

If proper care is not maintained during or after the injection procedure, bacteria may enter the injection site and cause infection. In such cases, patients may be prescribed medications such as levofloxacin hydrochloride capsules, erythromycin ointment, or amoxicillin capsules, to be used according to medical advice.

It is recommended that patients undergo block injection treatment for lateral epicondylitis only at正规 medical institutions.

Related Articles

View All

How effective is acupuncture treatment for tennis elbow?

The effectiveness of acupuncture in treating lateral humeral epicondylitis mainly depends on the severity of the condition. For mild cases of lateral humeral epicondylitis, acupuncture may yield better results by regulating the flow of qi and blood through the meridians and relieving pain and numbness. However, for severe cases, acupuncture alone may not be effective, and comprehensive treatment strategies might be necessary to control disease progression, such as pharmacological therapy or surgical intervention.

View Full Answer

Acupuncture points for tennis elbow

Acupuncture is an effective method for treating tennis elbow. Commonly used acupuncture points for tennis elbow include the Ashi point, Quchi (LI11), Hegu (LI4), Xiaohai (SI8), and Tianjing (TE10) points. It is recommended to perform acupuncture under the guidance of a qualified physician. Patients with tennis elbow have local inflammation and pain, so excessive manipulation during needling should be avoided. Intense techniques such as excessive lifting-thrusting or twisting may exacerbate local tissue damage.

View Full Answer

What is the best topical medication for tennis elbow?

In general, tennis elbow is a condition caused by chronic injury to the forearm extensor muscles attached to the lateral epicondyle of the humerus due to overuse. Doctors usually recommend treatment with topical medications such as flurbiprofen gel patches, diclofenac diethylamine gel, Yunnan Baiyao plaster, analgesic plasters for sprains and contusions, and Compound Nanxing Analgesic plasters.

View Full Answer

What are the concept and symptoms of tennis elbow?

Lateral epicondylitis, medically known as tennis elbow, is an aseptic inflammation occurring at the attachment site of the common extensor tendon of the forearm muscles at the elbow. It is commonly caused by long-term repetitive muscle strain leading to tendon injury. Typical symptoms include pain on the outer side of the elbow, radiating pain extending to the forearm or wrist, increased pain when lifting heavy objects or twisting motions, restricted elbow movement, and tenderness upon pressing specific areas of the elbow.

View Full Answer

Why does the arm suddenly become sore?

In general, sudden arm soreness or pain may be caused by overexertion, poor posture, tennis elbow, cervical spondylosis, periarthritis of the shoulder, and other reasons. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation and treatment at a正规 hospital. In daily life, avoid maintaining the same posture for prolonged periods and ensure adequate rest for the arms; warm up thoroughly before exercising and avoid sudden strenuous exertion; and pay attention to keeping the neck warm.

View Full Answer

Is it expensive for pregnant women to receive lung maturation shots?

The cost of antenatal corticosteroid injections (commonly known as "lung-promoting shots") for pregnant women is not particularly high, falling within a moderate price range for medical interventions. The cost for a single course of treatment typically ranges from several hundred to around 1,000 RMB, varying slightly depending on the region and hospital level. If there is a risk of preterm birth during pregnancy, timely medical evaluation is recommended, followed by standardized treatment under medical guidance. The key medication in these injections is corticosteroids.

View Full Answer

Why is a corticosteroid injection administered once every 7 days?

Steroid injections should be administered once every 7 days, which may be due to factors such as the drug's metabolic cycle, tissue repair patterns, minimizing local tissue irritation, preventing infection risk, and controlling inflammation progression. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly, confirm the diagnosis, and receive injections according to the treatment course under a doctor's guidance. Patients should strictly follow medical advice to complete the full course of injections and must not shorten or extend the injection interval on their own.

View Full Answer

What are the注意事项 after receiving a corticosteroid injection for tennis elbow?

In general, after receiving a corticosteroid injection for tennis elbow, it is important to protect the injection site, limit elbow movement, monitor local reactions, avoid bearing weight too early, and follow up as recommended, in order to ensure effective recovery and reduce complications. During the recovery period, mild stretching exercises for the elbow muscles may be performed appropriately. Only after complete pain relief should daily activities be gradually resumed.

View Full Answer

Your trusted source for health information and wellness guidance.

Quick Links

Resources

Connect

© 2024 HealthPortal. All rights reserved.