Cortisone

[Marty Moose]

Why did Lance take Cortisone ?? For injury or does it help with recovery or performance in another way.

MM

[sogood]

My understanding was that he was "prescribed" cortisone to explain a positive dope test for glucocorticosteroid. Tests at the time could not further specify what specific type. So what he really used may not be cortisone but related compound for other objectives. Otherwise cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory and is a legitimate treatment for saddle sores/boils etc. I don't think those dope testers care to peel his butt to check. When used systemically, cortisone can certainly reduce muscle and joint inflammations and improve a rider's ability to ride further, similar to the use of NSAIDs on ski trips.

Wikipedia has a full article on doping in TdF. Puts this LA saga in a larger perspective. I further note that both 75 and 77 TdF wins were tainted by cortisone.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doping_at_ ... _de_France

[cp123]

saddle sore cream...? with a backdated prescription apparently...