Foot injections are steroids that are injected into your foot to relieve pain and inflammation. Cortisol is a hormone that is produced in the human body and functions to reduce stress and inflammation. Steroids are synthetic drugs that resemble cortisol and are used in treating joint pain. Steroid injections are often combined with other treatment options such as physical therapy, other medications, occupational therapy, etc.
Indications for Foot Injections
Foot injections are indicated in patients experiencing redness, pain, trouble walking, loss of smooth motion, and inflammation due to certain disorders such as arthritis, gout or other inflammatory diseases such as tendinitis. Foot injections are recommended by your doctor when you do not respond to oral medications.
How are Foot Injections Administered?
Steroids are directly injected into the painful and inflamed area of the foot and begin to work immediately. The injection may be given at the doctor’s clinic. The procedure involves the following steps:
- The injection site is cleaned with an antiseptic solution.
- Anaesthetic spray may be used at the site to remove a small amount of joint fluid to test the cause of the pain.
- The foot injection procedure is often combined with an imaging technique such as X-ray, MRI, or CT-Scan.
- The steroids are carefully injected at the site using a sterile syringe.
- The steroids may be injected into a vein, muscle, soft tissue, bursae or tendon.
- The pressure is applied at the injection site for a few minutes and covered with a bandage.
After the Procedure
You will need to spend some time in the recovery room under observation. At home:
- You may be asked to apply ice at the site of injection.
- Avoid heat exposure and any work that may stress your foot for a few days.
- Take medications as prescribed.
Complications of Foot Injections
Complications are rare. Some patients may experience:
- Allergic reactions
- Discolouration of skin
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Tendon Rupture
Advantages of Foot Injections
Foot injections have numerous advantages including:
- Helps restore the structure and function of the foot
- Reduces inflammation and pain
- Avoids oral medications
- Avoids the use of a high dose of medicines which may cause side-effects
Contraindications of Foot Injections
Foot injections are not recommended if you:
- Are allergic to steroids
- Suffer from diabetes or any hormone disorder
- Have a foot infection or any other infection in the body
- Have bleeding problems
- Take blood thinners
