Steroid Shot for Hip Pain May Carry Infection Risk if too Close to Surgery

U.S. News & World Report/Health Day—March 2, 2016

HealthDay Reporter Mary Elizabeth Dallas writes about a recent study published by Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) at the 2016 American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) Annual Meeting. The study indicates that patients who have received a steroid injection for hip pain should wait at least three months before undergoing a hip replacement. The study suggests that receiving a steroid injection so close to surgery increases the risk for infection after surgery.

Seth A. Jerabek, MD, a hip and knee surgeon at HSS and senior study author notes, "Hip replacement is a common and safe procedure that relieves pain and improves quality of life, and overall, the risk of developing a joint infection is low. Although the risk is low, an infection is one of the most dreaded complications of joint replacement. Patients often need to undergo additional surgery, receive intravenous antibiotic treatment, and are off their feet during a lengthy recovery."

To read the full article, visit Health.USNews.com. The article originally appeared on HealthDay.com.

Additional coverage:

• Orthopedics Today: Timing of Hip Injection Linked with Risk of PJI After THA
• Orthopedics This Week: Preop Injections Elevate Infection Risk!
• Additional Orthopedics This Week coverage: Corticosteroids Could Suppress Immune System
• Mescape: Steroids Before Hip Arthroplasty Increase Infection Risk (Subscription required)
• Health: Steroid Shot for Hip Pain May Carry if Too Close to Surgery
• Medical News Today: Steroid Injections Too Soon Before Joint Replacement may Increase Infection Risk