The Hidden Risks of Steroid Injections

Jun 12, 2025 | Regenerative Medicine

The Hidden Risks of Steroid Injections — What Your Doctor Might Not Be Telling You

Dr. Joel Baumgartner

Steroid injections are everywhere—knees, hips, spine. They’re offered in orthopedic clinics, pain management centers, even primary care offices. You might’ve been told they’re your best option for arthritis, herniated discs, or chronic joint pain.

But here’s the truth: while steroids might provide short-term relief, research shows they can accelerate long-term damage—from cartilage degeneration to spinal fractures to nerve injury.

At Rejuv Medical, we don’t believe in covering up symptoms—we believe in healing. Regenerative medicine, including PRP, stem cell therapy, and MFAT, offers a real alternative. These therapies don’t just quiet the pain; they repair the damage, helping your body rebuild itself.

The Hidden Risks of Steroid Injections

1. Spinal Fractures: One Shot Closer to a Break

Epidural steroid injections (ESIs) may reduce pain—but they come with a cost. Multiple studies show a strong association between ESIs and an increased risk of vertebral compression fractures. According to Wang et al. (2024), each ESI can raise fracture risk by 21% to 54%, depending on dose and frequency. The more injections you receive, the higher your risk.

Long-term steroid use also reduces bone density, making your spine more brittle over time (Wang, 2024).

2. Cartilage Loss: Injected Damage

Intra-articular steroid injections, like those used for knees and hips, do more than dull inflammation. They accelerate cartilage breakdown, especially with repeated use. A controlled trial found that patients receiving triamcinolone had significantly more cartilage volume loss over two years than those receiving saline (McAlindon, 2017).

That means these injections may actually worsen the disease they’re supposed to treat.

3. Higher Risk of Joint Replacement

More steroid shots often lead to more joint replacements. One large study showed that patients who received corticosteroid injections were significantly more likely to require total knee arthroplasty (Werner, 2020). In real terms, each injection raised the risk by nearly 10%.

Steroids may temporarily help symptoms, but they also seem to speed up the need for surgery.

4. Spinal Degeneration and Facet Arthritis

Steroids injected around spinal facet joints can increase facet joint degeneration, promote bone spurring, and worsen long-term outcomes. Imaging often shows deterioration in patients who receive repeated spinal steroid injections—something not seen in non-injected counterparts (Habib, 2009).

This degeneration is frequently missed until the patient is no longer responding to the shots—and by then, the joint is often too far gone.

5. Nerve Damage from Direct Toxicity

Steroids placed too close to nerve roots—or accidentally injected into nerve fascicles—can cause irreversible damage. Rydevik et al. (1982) showed that even small amounts of steroid can be toxic to peripheral nerves when injected intrafascicularly.

That tingling or numbness that won’t go away? It might be more than inflammation—it could be injury from the injection itself.

6. Whole-Body Side Effects

Even “local” steroid injections can cause systemic effects. These may include:

  • Elevated blood sugar (especially concerning for diabetics)
  • Mood changes or sleep disturbance
  • Adrenal suppression with repeated doses
  • Increased risk of infection, particularly with immunocompromised patients (Habib, 2009)

There Is Another Way: Embracing Regenerative Medicine

At Rejuv Medical, we offer advanced regenerative therapies designed to repair, restore, and regenerate damaged tissue—without the side effects of steroids.

Here’s what we offer:

Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)

PRP uses your own blood—specifically, the growth factor-rich platelets—to reduce inflammation and stimulate tissue repair. PRP is backed by robust evidence, particularly in osteoarthritis and tendon injuries.

Stem Cell Therapy

We use autologous mesenchymal stem cells to target cartilage repair, tendon healing, and joint preservation. Stem cells can differentiate into needed tissues and secrete anti-inflammatory molecules that calm the joint environment.

Microfragmented Fat (MFAT)

MFAT therapy uses your body’s own fat, processed to isolate regenerative pericytes and anti-inflammatory components. It works well in large joints like knees, hips, and shoulders, and is particularly promising for advanced arthritis.

You Have Real Options — Don’t Just Cover it UP

If you’ve been told you need another injection—or worse, surgery—don’t settle. Interventional Regenerative Orthopedics offers a non-surgical, evidence-based path to healing and getting back into the life you enjoy.

At Rejuv Medical, we’ve helped thousands of patients reverse their pain without relying on harmful steroids or invasive procedures.

Book a consultation today and see how we can help you get back to the life you love—stronger, healthier, and without compromise.

References

  • Wang, Y. et al. (2024). Epidural steroid injections and fracture incidence. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research.
  • McAlindon, T.E. et al. (2017). Effect of intra-articular triamcinolone vs saline on knee cartilage volume. JAMA.
  • Werner, B.C. et al. (2020). Corticosteroid injections and knee arthroplasty risk. Bone & Joint Journal.
  • Rydevik, B.L. et al. (1982). Peripheral nerve injection injury with steroids. Neurosurgery.
  • Habib, G. (2009). Systemic effects of intra-articular corticosteroids. Clinical Rheumatology.