Steroid blockade

Corticosteroid injections are used for anti-inflammatory and analgesic purposes in rheumatology, orthopaedics and sports medicine. Despite long-standing use, they are surrounded by myths. This review explores these myths and concludes that infection risk is negligible, that diabetic patients can safely receive injections, that children can safely receive injections by specialists, and that temporary menstrual disturbances can occur after injections; other myths remain inconclusive. Further research is needed to supply a scientific background for clinical guidelines and recommendations.