Facebook Live 30th July 2019
There has been a lot of research has been done investigating the use of cortisone injections and using injections of saline or saltwater as a comparison. Here a few studies that we have found investigating it.
One study split the participants into 2 groups, one receiving cortisone and the other saline. They monitored the participants and 4, 8 and 12 weeks and what they found was at 4 weeks the cortisone group had a significant reduction in their pain when compared to the saline group. However in the long term follow up the changes between the two groups was no longer considered to be statistically significant. Suggesting that as a short term treatment option cortisone may be beneficial, however not for the long term without a combination of treatmentAnother study also examined 2 groups, the same as the previous study. They found that after the course of the study both groups experienced a reduction in pain.
The theory behind this was that it was not the liquid which was reducing the pain, but rather it was the needle hitting the damaged area and consequently promoting blood flow and circulation to the area. This is similar to the theory behind our shock wave therapyThere are many treatment options available and we would generally recommended more conservative options offered at our clinic before seeking a cortisone injection, as there are risks associated.
McMillan, A., Landorf, K., Gilheany, M., Bird, A., Morrow, A., & Menz, H. (2012). Ultrasound guided corticosteroid injection for plantar fasciitis: randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 344(may22 1), e3260-e3260. doi: 10.1136/bmj.e3260