Terminating Corticosteroid Injection in Tendinopathy? Hasta la Vista, Baby

Tjerk Sleeswijk Visser*, Robbart van Linschoten, B Vicenzino, Adam Weir, Robert-Jan de Vos

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

t SYNOPSIS: Two recent randomized-controlled trials showed promising results of local corticosteroid injections combined with exercise therapy for Achilles tendinopathy and plantar fasciopathy. Should clinicians go back to using corticosteroid injections to treat tendinopathy? Are corticosteroids back (baby)? In this viewpoint we critically appraise the new evidence and humbly share our clinical reasoning when advising athletes about corticosteroid injections in practice. Our goal is to help clinicians decide what to do and what to recommend to patients. We prioritize the risk for higher recurrence rates and tendon rupture when weighing the reasonable treatment options for tendinopathy, and recommend against using corticosteroid injections. The best systematic review evidence shows that local corticosteroid injections are not effective for tendinopathies after the first few weeks, and produce worse long-term outcomes compared to other treatments. For now, we consider corticosteroid injections remain terminated. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2024;54(1):10-13. Epub 11 August 2023. doi:10.2519/jospt.2023.11875

Original languageEnglish
Article number54
Pages (from-to)10-13
Number of pages4
JournalJournal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy
Volume54
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2024

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