Corticosteroids are medicines that reduce inflammation and pain. They work similarly to natural hormones produced in the body. Sometimes one or more corticosteroid injections are used to reduce pain in a hand affected by Dupuytren's disease.

A corticosteroid injection usually is used only for people in the early stages of Dupuytren's disease when they have pain and do not yet have a lot of bending of one or more fingers (contracture). Corticosteroid injections weaken the tissue where they are injected and so are not used frequently. In rare cases, corticosteroids may also cause side effects, including fluid retention, elevated blood pressure and blood sugar, and bone thinning (osteoporosis).

A corticosteroid injection:

• May temporarily reduce pain and inflammation.
• Does not cure or improve Dupuytren's disease.
• Is not a long-term treatment option because repeated injections can permanently weaken tissue and cause other serious side effects.