What do steroid injections actually do?

[Boxers]

I am considering having Jay's stifle joints treated with steroid injections (he has OCD). So what do they actually do? Are they a painkiller? Also, vet said he would need them once a year. I don't want to have them done and then find he is still in pain. The vet has warned me that they may not enable him to be sound. I know that they will not 'cure' the OCD.

 

[pootleperkin]

Steroids generally reduce inflammation of the affected site and so may also reduce local pain. Have a google on the subject.

 

[Box_Of_Frogs]

They reduce inflammation but beware as they also increase the risk of laminitis. Ask your vets about this first. Also, I thought that more than 1 or 2 injections actually weakened the tissues in the area so would be counter-productive. I know when I had an injection into my shoulder joint for "frozen shoulder" I was told I could only have 1 more if it didn't work. Again, discuss with your vet. Good luck.

 

[Janette]

My girl got laminitis after bing treated with steroids, so check up on that bit very carefully.