Glucosteroids affect joint Cartilage
Common diseases such as arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis can cause pain and inflammation.
Systemic (taken by mouth) or intra-articular (usually given by injection) corticosteroids (these can be cortisone, cortisone acetate, hydrocortisone, hydrocortisone acetate, prednisone, prednisolone, prednisolone acetate, triamcinolone) can be prescribed for this condition.
The effects can be delayed symptom return, partial or complete remission of symptoms for finite periods. With the corticosteroids can come permanent and temporary changes in soft tissue, bone and cartilaginous structures from the medication.
Cortico-steroids can affect both the bodies metabolism and mental status.
When a person exercises, they need to be aware of how their joints are responding whether they are loading the joint, such as standing, or not loading the joint but moving it.
There are different theories as to what exercises may hasten the negative effects of corticosteroids in the joint. So it is a good idea to tell your physical therapist about the past and present use of corticosteroids and closely monitor the effects of exercise.
There is substantial evidence that significant adverse soft tissue (histostructural) and Soft tissue chemistry (histochemical), as well as tissue support (ultrastructural) changes, occur in joint surface (articular) cartilage leading to a decrease in the make-up of reinforced (matrix) components, disorganisation of various tissue layers (strata) and impairment or loss of function.
In summary-if you are exercising and you have been on corticosteroid therapy, it is important to have this discussion with your physical therapist because your performance can be closely monitored and the exercise progression can be tailored so that your road to exercise is progressed with this knowledge in a way that is complimentary to your goals.
Sometime just altering the exercise intensity and the activity will make a difference in your progress.
GeriTraK. Good To Know
References
McDonough. A Review of the Literature. ptjournal.apta.org
Collins EJ, Aniline J: The response of costal cartilage to changes in the hormonal environment. Experientia 15:116-117, 1959