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I've recently been flooded with emails from tennis elbow sufferers who seem to be confused on whether to go the corticosteroid injection route to treat their tennis elbow. So to put this to rest once and for all and to make sure all your questions and concerns about corticosteroid injections are answered...here is what you need to know. It is not uncommon for Corticosteroid injections to be used for relief of muscle and tendon injuries. Often corticosteroid injections may be used to treat tennis elbow.

First, only go the Corticosteroid route if you have tried and exhausted all other forms of treatment for tennis elbow. The majority of tennis elbow sufferers who decide to get this invasive procedure done, usually expose themselves to 3 injections over the course of a single year.

It has been reported that anymore than 3 injections is just overkill and chances of any improvement from there is unlikely and may even do more harm than good!
Studies suggest that corticosteroid injections may give short-term relief but don't have long-lasting benefit when compared to other treatments. (Assendelft W, et al.(2005). Tennis elbow. Clinical Evidence (14): 1561-1569)

One study found that, although corticosteroid injection produced the most relief after 6 weeks, it was linked to more relapse and pain after 52 weeks than treatment with rest and rehabilitation.(Smidt N, et al. (2002).

Corticosteroid injections, physiotherapy, or a wait-and-see policy for lateral epicondylitis: A randomised controlled trial. Lancet, 359(9307): 657-662)
Of course with any type of intramuscular injection, there is a risk of potential side effects. Here is a small list of just a few risks you need to be aware of:

* Increased pain the first day or two after a corticosteroid injection. Applying ice at home for 15 to 20 minutes after the injection may help reduce pain.

* Tendon weakening and scarring, causing loss of strength and movement and potential for tendon rupture.

* Accidental nerve injury during injection.

* Skin color (pigmentation) changes.

* Dimpling of the skin (subcutaneous atrophy).

* Infection.

So, it should be pretty clear to you that corticosteroid injections are only provide temporary relief for tennis elbow and is only a band-aid solution! Now...my best advice to you is to go the non-invasive approach to tennis elbow treatment and relief. Luckily, my proven, step-by-step tennis elbow system is non-invasive and easy-to-follow, implement and understand from the comfort of home.

Check out this simple, blueprint formula for tennis elbow treatment that physiotherapists don't want you to know.

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