Study: Steroid injections may work as well as placebo

A lot of people get steroid injections. The thinking is it reduces inflammation and that helps relieve pain. But a new study shows it may not be any better than a placebo.

Researchers followed nearly 150 men and women with painful knee osteoarthritis through a blind trial.

Half were given corticosteroid injections every three months for two years. The other half got saline injections.

Patients then filled out questionnaires, took physical tests and had MRIs.

The scans showed no significant difference and there was no difference in the groups when it came to reporting relief in pain or stiffness.

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