I got to this website because, unfortunately, I have become a victim as well. Were you able to get any answers? I know it has been a while, but I am very desperate right now and there is no one who can give me an answer. Thank you
Hello, I had a steroid injection between my 4th and 5th metatarsal at near the toe joints (still waiting to find out which type of steriod). It's now just under 3 months later and a divot has developed in the top of my foot. It has some minor pain associated with it and what feels like a burning sensation at times. I was offered the steroid injection for a potential morton's neuroma but the doctors later agreed I have a bone bruise. I told the doctor that I didn't think the steroid injection was necessary but so long as it couldn't hurt. Of course I was told that it couldn't hurt and not warned about any of the potential side effects. Anyways it looks like I'm in the very early stages of what could be one of these nightmare cases. So far the fat pad and soft tissue on the bottom of my foot is still intact. But I'm very concerned that like you say the bad side effects will start slowly and get worse over the years. I have already noticed a lump of tissue directly underneath the 5th metatarsal head. And have already been brushed off by my GP regarding the soft tissue atrophy on the top of my foot. I'm thinking of asking for a referral to a dermatologist for the saline injections. Have you ever discovered anything regarding treatment of this condition or a specialist I should be referred to? At this point I'm just praying that they didn't use Kenalog and that I'm not one of these extremely rare and unlucky cases. Save me!
You'd think that with an occurrence of 1-5% that somewhere around 10K to 100K people per year are affected, and yet doctors see no obligation to warn their patients. I can tell you all the possible side effects of a CS injection in less than 60 seconds and would be completely absolved of malpractice, I just don't understand. But I will be making a formal complaint against my podiatrist.
Yes I have gotten 3 saline injections. The effects have not been highly visible yet as I hoped they would be given the findings of the medical studies but I think they are making a difference. Depending how much residual steroid crystals remain it may take a few before the cosmetic effects are addressed. I'm guessing they are less effective for me because my steroid injection was in the foot and it's hard to get a good pressurized saline injection where the skin stretches too easily. The doctor said the only risk was infection at the injection site and so long as proper procedure is followed the risk of getting a saline injection is minimal.
Unfortunately for me the injections are all in the top of my foot, which will hopefully remove a lot of the residual steroid crystals. However the main side effect of concern is atrophy of the fat pad or bottom of my foot, really not sure what to do about that. I can tell the area has thinned a little. And the bump under the metatarsal head is potentially a sign of fat pad atrophy. Very concerning as many have said it keeps getting worse. I'm really hoping that going for these saline injections early will clear out the steroid before more damage can be done.
As far a suing goes the answer is that medical malpractice being committed doesn't necessarily mean there are any damages. In order to have a lawsuit that is worth pursuing there needs to be a proven loss of some kind, loss of income or expensive medical procedures that will be required to fix the problem. Pain and suffering damages are limited to 250k and typically will only match the financial loss. And there is a one year statute of limitations on medical malpractice. This is just what I found out for my state, I'm not an attorney.
If you want to find the studies, they are all about "Treatment of steroid induced atrophy with normal saline injections" There have been 3 different studies published on the topic, the first one had 4 patients all adults who got weekly injections. One had a single 51 year old female who got monthly injections at multiple sites, and the last one had two children who got bi-weekly injections. All studies had 100% positive results and no adverse side effects.