Cortisone's downside felt years after treatment.

Publication: South Florida Sun-Sentinel (via Knight-Ridder/Tribune News Service)

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COPYRIGHT 2001 South Florida Sun-Sentinal

Byline: Bob LaMendola

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. _ A syringe of cortisone can quickly silence the screaming joints of an injured athlete. But big relief now risks infirmity in the future.

Long-term misuse of the man-made steroid can do damage throughout the body, leading to torn tendons, infections, dead bones in joints and high blood pressure _ often not for years.

Doctors did...

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