Cortisone Injection

What is a cortisone injection?

A cortisone shot is a type of therapeutic injection designed to reduce pain and inflammation in a specific location. These types of injections work by using a combination of anesthetic and corticosteroid medication.

Your doctor might recommend cortisone injections to treat joint issues all over your body, from feet and hands all the way to your spine and hips.

Why do I need a cortisone injection?

A cortisone injection can address a wide range of joint conditions, including:

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Bursitis
• Tendinitis
• Gout
• Plantar fasciitis

While cortisone injections are a useful tool for pain management and joint inflammation, they might cause cartilage deterioration. To avoid additional joint issues, your doctor might recommend limiting the number of cortisone shots you get to less than three or four each year.

What can I expect during a cortisone injection?

The team at Memorial Orthopedic Surgical Hospital administers cortisone shots during a routine office visit.

To keep you comfortable during your injection, they apply a topical numbing agent to the area where they deliver your medication. Depending on the location of your joint pain, they might use a special X-ray known as fluoroscopy to guide the needle to the injection site.

After having a cortisone injection, you may experience a warming sensation or mild redness in your chest and face. This therapy can also temporarily increase blood sugar levels in some patients.

For the first day or two, your doctor might recommend avoiding certain activities, depending on the location of your injection. For example, if you have treatment in your knee, they might recommend staying off your feet as much as possible. If you have a cortisone shot in your shoulder, you may be told to avoid lifting heavy objects.

Having a cortisone injection can temporarily increase your pain and inflammation for a few days. Your doctor might recommend applying ice to the treatment site to help reduce any pain or discomfort during this period. When the medications get to work, it’s common to experience reduced symptoms for several months.

For more information on cortisone injections, call Memorial Orthopaedic Surgical Group or schedule an appointment online today.