Can I Have Joint Replacement Surgery If I’ve Recently Had a Cortisone Injection?

Can I Have Joint Replacement Surgery If I’ve Recently Had a Cortisone Injection?

Hip and knee replacements usually occur due to severe osteoarthritis.  By the time you are deemed a candidate for this joint replacement surgery, you have probably exhausted all treatments, one of them being a steroid/cortisone injection.  These are often prescribed to decrease inflammation and alleviate pain.  Unfortunately, there is a draw back to using them if you are scheduled to have a joint replacement within 3 months of having the injection.

Steroid/cortisone injections suppress the body’s immune system.  Patients that have suppressed immune systems are always at a higher risk for severe infections that can be difficult to control and can result in additional surgery, prolonged antibiotic medication and even death.

One study showed that injections given within 3 months of a total hip replacement had a 40% higher rate of postoperative periprosthetic infection.  Studies done on those who had a steroid/cortisone injection 3 months or later did not show an increased risk of infections at all.  While there are no specific recommendations on how long to wait for you to proceed with your surgery, most doctors will wait for 3 months or longer.  

If you are in need of a hip or knee replacement and do not want to wait, contact us for private surgery options!

Health Vantis

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877-344-3544