Athletes treated with cortisone shots more likely to get osteoarthritis

By Stephen Beech

Professional footballers who have injuries treated with cortisone jabs are much more likely to develop osteoarthritis late in life, warns a new study.

Almost three out of four retired players (73%) with the painful condition had suffered "significant" foot or ankle injuries during their playing career.

And 75% of players with osteoarthritis reported treatment with corticosteroid injections over the course of their careers.

Osteoarthritis is a condition that causes joints to become painful and stiff, and it's the most common type of arthritis in the UK.

The new study found that retired British male professional football players who reported foot or ankle injuries during their careers were more likely to develop osteoarthritis in retirement.

Retired players treat