Complications and contraindications of cortisone therapy

As is the case with many procedures, complications can also arise in the treatment of a herniated disc with cortisone, especially with cortisone injections. Therefore it is important to inform the patient about the possible risks in a preliminary talk before the operation. First, the patient should be made aware that cortisone can cause side effects.

Furthermore, an allergic reaction may occur unexpectedly, which can lead to a drop in blood pressure and various skin rashes. The injections can also trigger other complaints. There is a risk of injuring nerves, which can lead to reversible and, in the worst case, irreversible loss of sensitivity or musculature.

Furthermore, there is the risk that by inserting the syringe germs are also carried into the vicinity of the spinal cord and cause an inflammation there. Such treatment should not be carried out on pregnant women. Treatment with cortisone syringes is also contraindicated in patients who take blood-thinning drugs such as heparin or marcoumar, as this can lead to increased bleeding in the area of the injection site, which can cause unpleasant swelling in the back area. You will find alternative therapy suggestions on our website:

Treatment of a slipped disc

Side effects of cortisone

Cortisone is a hormone produced naturally in the body, but it can also be used to treat certain inflammatory diseases. In order for it to develop its effect, it is often administered in very high doses, which of course can also cause undesirable side effects. The most common side effects of cortisone include an increase in blood pressure (hypertension) and blood sugar levels.

For many patients, the possible increase in weight in particular is a great fear. Cortisone therapy can also lead to increased water retention, making the patient feel swollen and gain weight. Since cortisone has an immune-inhibiting effect, it is often used in autoimmune diseases to curb the body’s own defence system.

At the same time, however, this also increases susceptibility to bacterial or viral infections. A further side effect, which is particularly caused by prolonged therapy with glucocorticoids such as cortisone, is Cushing’s syndrome. In addition to a shrinkage (atrhopathy) of the adrenal cortex due to the supplied cortisone, there is a development of a full moon face, bull neck, trunk obesity with thinner extremities, increased acne, depression and high blood pressure. In addition, cortisone has a negative effect on bone metabolism and promotes the development of osteoporosis. Learn more here:

Side effects of cortisone

Dosage of cortisone

Cortisone with 50 mg is used for the treatment of the herniated disc and a high-dose therapy with up to a maximum of 250 mg per day is aimed for. The maximum dose is divided into three to four single doses per day, so that a consistently high blood level of the active substance is achieved. This ensures that the patient suffers no pain or inflammation in the damaged spinal column area. How long patients should take the tablets depends on the success of the treatment and whether the patient tolerates the prednisolone well. As a rule, treatment can last up to two weeks.