Where should you NEVER inject steroid shots?

Where should you NEVER inject steroid shots?

• A. Into tendon
• B. Into muscle
• C. Into joint
• D. Into vein

Answer: (A)

Injecting corticosteroids directly into a tendon is avoided because tendons are especially vulnerable to steroid damage. Steroids weaken collagen and impair tendon cell function, reducing the tendon’s strength and healing capacity. This local tissue damage can lead to tendinopathy and even rupture, particularly with loading or repetitive use. Therefore, the safer approach is to place the injection into the joint space or peri-tendinous soft tissue around the tendon, rather than into the tendon itself.

Injecting corticosteroids directly into a tendon is avoided because tendons are especially vulnerable to steroid damage. Steroids weaken collagen and impair tendon cell function, reducing the tendon’s strength and healing capacity. This local tissue damage can lead to tendinopathy and even rupture, particularly with loading or repetitive use. Therefore, the safer approach is to place the injection into the joint space or peri-tendinous soft tissue around the tendon, rather than into the tendon itself.