Systemic effects of cortisone injections including cartilage damage
Marc Darrow, M.D.,J.D. There is a concern amongst doctors and patients as to the long-term use of corticosteroids in managing chronic back, neck, and joint pain. Cortisone injections can help many people, they can also provide potential harm to others. The debate over the detrimental effects of corticosteroids intensified during the COVID-19 surge as corticosteroids were prescribed to suppress immune response in COVID patients. Why are steroids used so much in orthopedic medicine? A September 2021 paper (1) found: “There are growing concerns with the widely used glucocorticoids during the Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic due to the associated immunosuppressive effects,