Read the Original Article published here: https://www.cureus.com/articles/156842-return-to-sport-using-corticosteroid-injections-for-knee-pain-in-triathletes
Below Is A Summary of The Peer Reviewed Article
Abstract:
Introduction: Corticosteroid injections are commonly used in the management of knee pain in athletes, but their efficacy in marathon runners is not well understood. This study aims to assess the attitudes, usage, subjective effectiveness, and time to return to running with corticosteroid injections compared to alternative methods in marathon runners with knee pain.
Methods: An observational survey study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. Marathon runners were invited to complete a 13-question survey posted on running-specific websites and social media platforms.
Results: A total of 75 marathon runners responded to the survey. Among them, 91% reported experiencing knee pain at some point during their running career, and 58% had received a corticosteroid injection as treatment (average age 39 years old). The most common attitude towards corticosteroid injections was “tried them, with good improvement” (46.7%). The majority of runners (41.4%) found the cortisone injection helpful for two to three months, while 26.2% reported effectiveness for more than one year. Among those who found the injections useful for more than one year, 58.3% had received multiple injections during that period. After receiving a corticosteroid injection, 78.6% of runners were able to return to running within one month. In comparison, among runners using alternative treatment methods, 72.7% were able to return to running within one month. The odds of returning to running within one month were not significantly different between corticosteroid injections and alternative methods (OR=1.169, p=0.729, 95% CI: 0.433-3.158).
Conclusion: This study provides insights into the usage and effectiveness of corticosteroid injections for knee pain in marathon runners. Corticosteroid injections are commonly used and perceived as effective in providing short-term relief. However, there was no significant difference in the time to return to running between corticosteroid injections and alternative treatments. Marathon runners should be counseled on the potential risks and timing of injections, and further research is needed to determine the long-term effects of corticosteroid injections in this population.
Introduction:
Marathon running has gained popularity worldwide, but it is also associated with a high incidence of overuse injuries, particularly in the lower limbs. Knee pain is one of the most common complaints among marathon runners, often caused by the repetitive impact and strain placed on the knee joint during running. Various treatment modalities are available for knee pain, including rest, physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, and corticosteroid injections. Corticosteroid injections, in particular, are commonly used to manage sports-related knee pain, but their effectiveness in the specific population of marathon runners remains unclear. To date, no studies have specifically examined the use of corticosteroid injections for knee pain in marathon runners.
The objective of this study is to assess the attitudes, usage, subjective effectiveness, and time to return to running with corticosteroid injections compared to alternative methods in marathon runners with knee pain. Understanding the attitudes and experiences of marathon runners regarding corticosteroid injections can provide valuable insights into their usage and effectiveness in this population.
Methods:
This observational survey study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study was approved by the relevant institutional review board, and all participants provided informed consent. A 13-question survey was developed and posted on popular running-specific websites and social media platforms to reach a wide range of marathon runners. The survey included questions about demographics, attitudes towards corticosteroid injections, usage of corticosteroid injections.
