Are foot and ankle corticosteroid injections safe during the COVID-19 pandemic? A single center prospective observational study

Background

Intra-articular corticosteroid injections (ICSI) are commonly used in orthopedic practice. Due to concerns about their immunosuppressive effects, we conducted a prospective observational audit, to monitor for COVID-19 infection amongst a group of foot and ankle patients who received an ICSI during the pandemic.

Patients and methods

Included were 68 patients (25 males - 43 females, mean age 59.1 years, SD 15.0, range 19 – 90 years) who received a fluoroscopy-guided ICSI within a two-month period during the pandemic. The American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) grade was I in 35 % of patients, II in 58 % and III in 7 %. 16 % of patients had black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) background. The dose of methylprednisolone injected was 20 mg for 28 % of the patients, 40 mg for 29 % and 80 mg for 43 %.

Results

All patients were available for follow up at one and four weeks post-injection. None reported COVID-19 infection symptoms within this period. The only complication was a flare-up of joint pain.

Conclusion

Our study showed that the risk of COVID-19 infection to patients receiving foot or ankle ICSI is low. The limitations of this work must be considered, but our findings support the judicious use of corticosteroid injections during the current crisis