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Kenalog Injection Vs. Cortisone Injection
Kenalog (triamcinolone) and cortisone are two members of a class of medications called steroids, which suppress substances in the body responsible for inflammation 1. Both of these medications are available in injectable form.
Kenalog Uses
Doctors may inject Kenalog into tendons for treatment of bursitis, epicondylitis (tennis elbow) or tendonitis, or into the interior spaces of a joint to treat joint inflammation, according to Drugs.com 1.
Cortisone Uses
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Doctors may inject cortisone for pain relief into joints throughout the body, tendons, cushioning bursa sacs or as an epidural medication delivered into the spinal column, according to SpineUniverse 2. Cortisone injections also frequently contain a local anesthetic 2.
Side Effects
SpineUniverse cites potential side effects of cortisone injections that include weakening of tendons and softening of joint cartilage 2. Potential side effects of Kenalog injections include depression, seizures, rapid weight gain and abnormal heartbeat.
Cortisone Considerations
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Doctors and laymen often use the terms cortisone injection or cortisone shot to refer to any injected combination of steroid medication and anesthetic, the Mayo Clinic reports 3. Cortisone shots therefore do not necessarily contain cortisone 3.
Kenalog Considerations
Typically, doctors reserve the use of Kenalog injections for short-term relief of aggravated or severe symptoms of inflammation, Drugs.com notes 1.
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References
- Drugs.com: Kenalog-10 (Triamcinolone)
- SpineUniverse: Types of Cortisone Injections
- The Mayo Clinic: Cortisone Shots - Definition
- Masala S, Fiori R, Bartolucci DA, et al. Diagnostic and therapeutic joint injections. Semin Intervent Radiol. 2010;27(2):160-71. doi:10.1055/s-0030-1253514
- Mak IYF, Au yeung BYT, Ng YW, et al. Salivary Cortisol and Cortisone After Low-Dose Corticotropin Stimulation in the Diagnosis of Adrenal Insufficiency. J Endocr Soc. 2017;1(2):96-108. doi:10.1210/js.2016-1056
- Nuelle CW, Cook CR, Stoker AM, Cook JL, Sherman SL. In Vivo Toxicity of Local Anesthetics and Corticosteroids on Supraspinatus Tenocyte Cell Viability and Metabolism. Iowa Orthop J. 2018;38:107-112.
- Waterbrook AL, Balcik BJ, Goshinska AJ. Blood Glucose Levels After Local Musculoskeletal Steroid Injections in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: A Clinical Review. Sports Health. 2017;9(4):372-374. doi:10.1177/1941738117702585
- Gross C, Dhawan A, Harwood D, Gochanour E, Romeo A. Glenohumeral joint injections: a review. Sports Health. 2013;5(2):153-9. doi:10.1177/1941738112459706
- Alsop RJ, Khondker A, Hub JS, Rheinstädter MC. The Lipid Bilayer Provides a Site for Cortisone Crystallization at High Cortisone Concentrations. Sci Rep. 2016;6:22425. doi:10.1038/srep22425
- Holland C, Jaeger L, Smentkowski U, Weber B, Otto C. Septic and aseptic complications of corticosteroid injections: an assessment of 278 cases reviewed by expert commissions and mediation boards from 2005 to 2009. Dtsch Arztebl Int. 2012;109(24):425-30. doi:10.3238/arztebl.2012.0425
- Park SK, Choi YS, Kim HJ. Hypopigmentation and subcutaneous fat, muscle atrophy after local corticosteroid injection. Korean J Anesthesiol. 2013;65(6 Suppl):S59-61. doi:10.4097/kjae.2013.65.6S.S59
- Cheng J, Abdi S. Complications of joint, tendon, and muscle injections. Tech Reg Anesth Pain Manag. 2007;11(3):141-147. doi:10.1053/j.trap.2007.05.006
- Nepple JJ, Matava MJ. Soft tissue injections in the athlete. Sports Health. 2009;1(5):396-404. doi:10.1177/1941738109343159
- Hepper CT, at al. The Efficacy and Duration of Intra-articular Corticosteroid Injection for Knee Osteoarthritis: A Systematic Review of Level I Studies. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2009 Oct;17(10):638-46.
- Koester MC, Dunn WR, Kuhn JE, Spindler KP. The Efficacy of Subacromial Corticosteroid Injection in the Treatment of Rotator Cuff Disease: A Systematic Review. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2007 Jan;15(1):3-11.
Writer Bio
M. Gideon Hoyle is a writer living outside of Houston. Previously, he produced brochures and a wide variety of other materials for a nonprofit educational foundation. He now specializes in topics related to health, exercise and nutrition, publishing for various websites.