Cortison side effects: will I lose my cartilage? How long it will work yet? (photos)

Hello. It sounds like you’re having a frustrating experience with the changes in your nose after the second cortisone injection. While cortisone injections (often steroid-based) can help reduce swelling and scar tissue after rhinoplasty, they do have some potential risks, especially with repeated use.
Concerns After the Second Cortisone Injection:Cartilage Loss: While rare, cortisone injections can sometimes lead to over-thinning of the skin or underlying tissues, including the cartilage in the nose. This could result in a "pinched" or shortened appearance at the tip. If you feel that the cartilage is weakening or shrinking, it’s crucial to address this with your surgeon.
Skin Thinning: The hole you’re describing in the skin may be a sign of thinning caused by the steroid, which can happen when the tissue is overexposed to cortisone. If untreated, this thinning can potentially lead to more complications like ulceration.
Ongoing Changes: Since cortisone can continue to work for weeks or even months after injection, it’s possible that further changes might occur. If you're noticing negative effects like shortening or loss of definition in your nose tip, it’s important to consult with your surgeon as soon as possible to prevent further damage.Consult Your Surgeon Immediately: If you haven’t already, reach out to the doctor who administered the injections. Let them know about the changes in your nose, particularly your concerns about cartilage loss and skin thinning.Monitoring Cartilage and Skin: A surgeon may suggest options to prevent further damage, such as stopping any more injections, or, in some cases, they might recommend a minor revision or reconstructive procedure to restore support to the nasal tip.Avoid Further Cortisone Injections: If you're seeing adverse effects, you should avoid any additional steroid injections until you have a full evaluation by your doctor.

Effects of Cortizone injection: Cortizone injection is commonly used after rhinoplasty to reduce swelling, dissolve scar tissue, and in some cases, atrophy normal tissue. It must be used cautiously since the effect can as we mentioned atrophy normal tissue. This can cause thinning of the skin and the appearance of a dent. It will not dissolve cartilage or bone, however thinning of the overlying skin may make small spaces between the Cartlidge and bone more apparent, looking like a “dent”. The full affect of a cortisone shot should be apparent after about two months.

Hi,Thank you for your question.Steroid injections may cause serious risks. Loss of skin/cartilage, infection, necrosis etc..The side effects/complications should be reminded by your surgeon. Otherwise, you should ask those risks. Regards. Best OprDr. Cem Altindag The Nose Clinic