Call me simple, but I’ve never fully understood the logic of chasing short-term results. For example, using steroid injections in an arthritic joint when the patient already knows they’ll eventually need a replacement. I can see the value if there’s a specific short-term goal like getting through a big event or an active summer but I doubt that’s the case in most scenarios.
If me, I wouldn’t want steroids injected into my body I’d rather just have the joint replacement and move on with life. What am I missing? How often do you actually see a patient become asymptomatic after a steroid injection and enjoy years of relief?
From what I’ve seen, the literature shows worse outcomes in patients who undergo multiple injections before eventually having arthroplasty. On top of that, steroids can harm bone health and have other neg physiologic effects. It feels like I’m missing something important here.
"The cost of oblivious daydreaming was always this moment of return, the realignment with what had been before and now seemed a little worse."
Ian McEwan, Atonement