Injections into or onto joints, bursa and tendons can be performed with various preparations (see also "Health services - Therapy - Hyaluronic acid therapy").

Infiltration therapy with cortisone is used to treat inflammation of the inner joint skin (synovitis), tendon (tendinitis) or bursa (bursitis) of rheumatic, traumatic and degenerative origin.

The application of cortisone, a steroid hormone with an anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effect, can quickly reduce an existing effusion and reduce swelling.

Indications (indications)

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• other rheumatic diseases with joint involvement
• acute activated osteoarthritis
• gout
• pseudogout
• tendinitis
• bursitis
• synovitis

Before therapy

A precise examination of the suitability of the therapeutic measure for the disease is absolutely necessary. If bacterial infections of tissues are present, the tissue can be additionally damaged by the injection of cortisone.

The procedure

The basic principle of intra-articular infiltration therapy is based on the application of the anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive steroid hormone cortisone.

Depending on the cortisone preparation, however, there are sometimes clear differences in the effects. In particular, the strength and duration of action vary depending on the preparation used. The reasons for this include the size, shape and chemical processing of the crystals used.

The optimal substance to be considered is a cortisone preparation that remains in the joint for a long time and is only absorbed to a small extent from the joint. Furthermore, the preparation used should have the best possible local tolerance.

The use of the injections can not only delay operations, but also, if necessary, no surgical interventions are necessary due to the sufficient therapy.

In order to minimise the risk of infection in the course of such an injection, the strictest hygienic conditions are necessary.

After therapy

After the therapy, follow-up checks are absolutely necessary to check the success of the therapy. In addition to permanent pain, massive joint damage can also occur, which can severely restrict the function of the joint.