A recent study has raised concerns about the long-term effects of cortisone shots for knee arthritis. While these steroid injections are commonly used for quick pain relief, the research suggests they could contribute to faster joint damage over time. The study found that patients who received corticosteroid injections showed more signs of arthritis progression compared to those who received no treatment or an alternative injection.
The study, published in Radiology, involved 210 participants from the Osteoarthritis Initiative, a long-term project tracking individuals with knee problems. The average age of participants was 64, with around 60% being women—demographic characteristics typical of knee arthritis patients. Over the course of the study, patients who received corticosteroid injections experienced worsening arthritis, while those who received hyaluronic acid injections—a gel-like lubricant for joints—showed no signs of worsening and, in some cases, even showed reduced disease progression on MRI scans.
These findings challenge the common use of corticosteroid injections for knee arthritis, as they may offer temporary pain relief at the cost of long-term joint health. In contrast, hyaluronic acid injections appear to offer a safer alternative with potential benefits for slowing disease progression.
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