Corticosteroid injections have long been used in musculoskeletal medicine as one option for managing inflammation and joint-related symptoms. These injections are widely used across orthopedic, sports medicine, and pain management practices because they can be administered in outpatient settings and may provide short-term symptom relief for some patients.
However, growing attention in the medical literature has focused on understanding the potential local and systemic effects of corticosteroid injections, particularly when used repeatedly or in high doses.
For physicians evaluating treatment strategies for musculoskeletal conditions, awareness of the latest research helps inform patient discussions and clinical decision-making.
Recent Research on Corticosteroid Injections
Local and Systemic Effects
A comprehensive review published in the American Journal of Roentgenology evaluated both local and systemic effects associated with corticosteroid injections in musculoskeletal care.
The review describes several potential local effects that have been reported in the literature, including:
post-injection flare reactions
skin hypopigmentation
localized soft-tissue atrophy
infection
tendon injury
progression of underlying joint conditions in some cases
The authors also discuss systemic effects that may occur in certain patient populations, including:
adrenal suppression
elevated blood glucose levels
hypertension
changes in bone density
These findings highlight the importance of individualized patient assessment when considering corticosteroid therapy.
Source: Kamel et al., American Journal of Roentgenology, 2024.
Soft-Tissue Changes Following Injection
A case report published in JMIR Dermatology described two patients who experienced localized soft-tissue changes following corticosteroid injections used in tendon-related conditions.
In these cases, clinicians observed:
skin thinning
discoloration
localized tissue atrophy
The authors noted that these changes developed months after injection and may be underreported in clinical practice.
Source: Colwell et al., JMIR Dermatology, 2025.
Structural Joint Changes Reported in Literature
A review article published in Radiology examined structural changes reported after corticosteroid injections used in joint-related conditions.
The authors discussed several complications that have been documented in the literature, including:
cartilage loss
subchondral fractures
osteonecrosis
rapid joint degeneration in certain patients
The review emphasizes that these findings should be interpreted within the broader context of patient selection, injection frequency, and underlying joint pathology.
Source: Radiology, 2020.
Clinical Considerations for Physicians
Corticosteroid injections remain a tool used in musculoskeletal care, but the evolving research highlights the importance of thoughtful clinical decision-making.
Key considerations discussed in the literature include:
evaluating patient-specific risk factors
limiting injection frequency when appropriate
discussing potential short-term and long-term considerations with patients
incorporating a comprehensive treatment plan that may include rehabilitation and other conservative approaches
Individual treatment decisions are made by physicians based on patient history, diagnosis, and clinical judgment.
Emerging Interest in Orthobiologic Research
Alongside established treatment approaches, increasing research attention has focused on orthobiologic preparations derived from the patient’s own blood, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP).
PRP is an autologous biologic preparation produced by processing a blood sample using a centrifugation-based PRP preparation system. During this process, platelets are concentrated within plasma fractions.
Research literature has explored platelet-rich plasma across several areas of musculoskeletal medicine, including orthopedics and sports medicine. Investigators continue to study how platelet concentration, leukocyte levels, and preparation protocols influence the biological characteristics of PRP preparations.
Preparation systems are designed to allow clinicians to process platelet-rich plasma within clinical environments using standardized centrifugation techniques.
The Importance of PRP Preparation Methods
As interest in platelet-rich plasma research has expanded, many investigators emphasize that how PRP is prepared can significantly influence the composition of the resulting biologic preparation.
Key preparation variables discussed in the literature include:
platelet concentration levels
leukocyte presence or reduction
red blood cell contamination
centrifugation protocols
PRP preparation systems such as Tropocells® and TropoVet® are designed to support consistent separation of blood components through closed-system processing and gel-separation technology.
These systems aim to produce reproducible platelet concentrations and minimize cellular debris during the preparation process.
Clinical use decisions and treatment strategies remain the responsibility of the treating physician.
Continuing Research in Musculoskeletal Medicine
Musculoskeletal medicine continues to evolve as researchers investigate both traditional treatment methods and emerging biologic technologies.
Ongoing research is examining:
long-term outcomes associated with corticosteroid use
the biological characteristics of platelet-rich plasma preparations
variability across PRP preparation systems
potential roles of biologic preparations in orthopedic research
As scientific understanding develops, physicians will continue evaluating available evidence when considering treatment approaches for their patients.
Regulatory Notice
Transcend Biologics systems are intended for the preparation of autologous platelet-rich plasma. The clinical use of PRP is determined by the treating physician. Statements regarding potential clinical applications reflect published scientific literature and are not intended to imply FDA-cleared indications.
References
Kamel et al. Local and Systemic Side Effects of Corticosteroid Injections for Musculoskeletal Indications. American Journal of Roentgenology, 2024.
Colwell et al. Cutaneous Atrophy Following Corticosteroid Injections. JMIR Dermatology, 2025.
Radiology Review: Structural complications associated with corticosteroid injections. Radiology, 2020.
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📞 Contact Transcend Biologics to learn more about our PRP solutions and how we support providers with clinically proven kits, training, and patient education tools.
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