ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the use of corticosteroid injections in the management of musculoskeletal pain and the practicalities of providing this treatment. Corticosteroid injections play an important role in the management of musculoskeletal conditions. Corticosteroid injections are effective for treating a variety of foot and ankle conditions and may reduce the need for surgery. Epidural corticosteroid injections for radiculopathy were associated with immediate reductions in pain and improvement in function. The general principles and techniques of musculoskeletal injection are the same regardless of the target. Orthotics offer a simple and safe treatment strategy and are commonly employed alongside steroid injection for a number of specific presentations. Intra-articular injection of viscoelastic agents, such as hyaluronic acid, has been advocated for the treatment of non-inflammatory arthritis, in particular for treatment of knee osteoarthritis. Prolotherapy, the injection of irritant solution into damaged ligaments, tendons or joints, has been advocated for use in the treatment of a number of chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
