Can I have a knee steroid injection if I have diabetes, or during Ramadan?

Diabetes and steroid injections

Diabetes is common in Qatar, and many people with knee arthritis also manage their blood sugar. A steroid injected into the knee is partly absorbed into the bloodstream and can raise blood glucose, typically for a few days. The rise is usually manageable, but it can be significant in people on insulin or with poorly controlled diabetes.

• Tell your doctor about your diabetes and your latest HbA1c
• Check your sugar more often for three to five days after the injection
• Know how to adjust insulin if advised, or contact your diabetes team
• Consider a non-steroid option if diabetes is poorly controlled

Diabetes also raises infection risk slightly, so watch the knee closely for redness, heat or increasing swelling.

Hyaluronic acid and PRP in diabetes

Hyaluronic acid and PRP do not contain steroids and are not expected to affect blood sugar in the same way. For people with diabetes who want an injection, they may be discussed as alternatives, bearing in mind the more mixed evidence for their benefit.

Injections during Ramadan

Many patients prefer to avoid any procedures while fasting. Questions about whether an injection affects the fast should be directed to a religious scholar, and many people simply choose to have it after iftar. Fasting can also make blood sugar harder to control, so people with diabetes may prefer to postpone a steroid injection until after Ramadan unless a flare is severe. Aman Hospital can help with appointment times that suit your fast.

Blood thinners and other conditions

Knee injections can usually be given while taking blood-thinning medicine such as aspirin, warfarin or newer anticoagulants, but tell your doctor in advance in case any precautions are needed. Also mention any current infection, skin problems over the knee, recent steroid courses, pregnancy, or a history of allergy to local anaesthetic.