What, if any, are the negative effects to having repeated steroid injections for bursitis of the greater trochanters?

More joint damage: Steroids are good for short time , when injected frequently in the same joint tend to destroyed more the joint. not to mention absorption into the blood stream and altering the endocrine axis of your body making your body don't producing different types of hormones needed for several body functions.

Wrong treatment: Most often pain in the area of the trochanteric bursas in referred from the lower back and is not a true bursitis. Failure of injections to help is trong evidence that bursitis is not the problem. Stop the injections and get another opinion.

Limited but: With more injections the risk of an infection(though still quite small) at the injection site increases. You also increase the risk of more systemic(widespread) effects of steroids on the body including increased blood pressure, elevation of blood sugar, and decreased ability to fight infection. You are also at risk for some steroid related atrophy of the soft tissue/skin in that area.