Long term effects of prednisone 10mgs per day

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hi, I am 30 year old male and I have arthritis pain in my knee which I can't deal with without medication. I am taking 10mg cortisone pills which is called Prednisolone and it's doing perfect for my condition. I would probably have to be on 10mg Prednisolone for long term use, I mean for years. Are the side effects going to be bad being for too long on this medication and at 10mg? I am worrying for overall health and mostly for any kidney or liver damage. Thank you very much sir.

Dear Jake: The prednisone is a corticosteroid with a very potent anti inflammatory effect, used when treating Rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory arthritis conditions. It is unclear if doses up to 3 mgs per day have a clinically significant effect, some research studies showed that from 5 mgs and up per day might put you on increased risk of: osteoporosis, cataracts and affect the lipid levels, the higher and more prolonged  the daily doses the more effects are seen as for example: problems with the wound healing, increased risk of infections. The sudden discontinuation of the prolonged use of corticosteroids may cause severe withdrawal symptoms, like Adrenal crisis (problems to produce normal body steroids), joint pain, fatigue, fever, low blood pressure, nausea and vomiting.