A:
It is common for a corticosteroid injected into a joint to raise blood sugar for several days. Common injected corticosteroid medicines are triamcinolone (Aristocort or Kenalog) and methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol).
Your doctor may not feel it is important to increase your diabetes medicines in reaction to this short-term change in your sugar control. Drink plenty of fluids so you remain well hydrated anytime your glucose levels are elevated.
If your glucose levels remain elevated for longer than 3 to 5 days, call your doctor. There is a small risk of infection after an injection into a joint, so report worsened joint pain or fever to your doctor.
