How Do Cortisone Shots Work to Control Pain and Inflammation?

If you experience chronic joint pain and swelling, you know how debilitating it can be. When simple tasks become challenging and the pain impacts your daily life, you just want relief, so you may be wondering, how do cortisone shots work? If you’ve tried at-home remedies and they haven’t been effective, a cortisone injection may be the next step.

We’ll explore how cortisone shots work, the conditions they treat, and other factors to consider here. 

If you’re experiencing chronic joint pain and swelling, we invite you to contact us to schedule an appointment. We can provide an accurate diagnosis and develop a comprehensive treatment plan to help manage your condition so you can get back to doing the things you love. 

Cortisone Injections: How Do Cortisone Shots Work?

Inflammation occurs naturally in your body as a response to injury, infection or irritation, 

Cortisone shots, also called steroid injections, are shots containing anti-inflammatory medication and sometimes a local anesthetic to provide immediate pain relief. The shot delivers a dose of a corticosteroid directly to the inflamed tissue or joint to calm the immune system response and help reduce inflammation. 

Ultrasound guidance is often used for cortisone shots to improve injection accuracy by allowing us to precisely pinpoint where we need to administer the medication. This approach is safer, more accurate, and leads to better pain relief. 

What Conditions Do Cortisone Shots Treat?

Cortisone shots treat conditions of the joints, muscles and spine that cause pain and inflammation, including:

• Arthritis
• Bursitis
• Tendinitis
• Tennis elbow
• Golfer’s elbow
• Carpal tunnel syndrome 
• Trigger finger and trigger thumb 
• Autoimmune diseases such as lupus and multiple sclerosis
• Spinal conditions such as degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis and others
• Other areas of inflammation in your joints including your shoulders, hips, hands, knees and feet

How Fast Do Cortisone Shots Work?

How fast a cortisone shot works will differ based on the individual. It may take several days to a week or more for the shot to take effect and for you to feel a difference in your symptoms. 

If a local anesthetic is included with your injection, you may feel some immediate pain relief, but a reduction in pain and inflammation from the corticosteroid will take longer. If you don’t feel better after about 10 days, we recommend you reach out to us. 

How Long Does a Cortisone Shot Last and How Often Can You Get One?

Cortisone injections typically last from a few weeks to a few months, but this will vary by person. 

Factors that affect how long a cortisone shot lasts include:

• Your current health status
• The joint being injected
• Your activity level
• The type of corticosteroid being used
• The type and severity of the condition being treated
• Other treatments you’re receiving, such as physical therapy

If you have a temporary injury, you might only need one cortisone shot to relieve pain and inflammation. If you have a long-term condition, more injections may be necessary to help manage your symptoms, but typically not more than three shots in a year.

Speak to us about how often you need a follow-up injection. We can let you know when it’s safe to receive your next dose, but you’ll likely need to wait at least three months. 

It’s important to keep in mind that while a cortisone injection will provide pain relief, it does not resolve the underlying condition, so you may need other treatments or therapies at some point.

Are There Any Risks of Cortisone Shots?

While cortisone shots are safe and effective for most people, side effects can sometimes occur.

Cortisone shot side effects may include:

• Bruising 
• Facial flushing
• Elevated blood sugar levels
• Pain, soreness or swelling at the injection site
• Discoloration or redness at the injection site 

Most side effects are temporary. They may last a few days or in some cases, a few weeks. 

Severe side effects, which are rare, may include:

• Fluid retention
• Nerve damage
• High blood pressure
• Severe blood sugar spikes
• Infection at the injection site

You Don’t Have to Live with Chronic Joint Pain: Schedule an Appointment with Our Experts at the Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic 

We know how frustrating it can be when joint pain interferes with your daily activities. If you’ve tried at-home remedies like heat and cold therapy, over-the-counter pain relievers or other self-care approaches and you’re still not feeling better, we encourage you to contact us for an appointment. 

For decades, the Bone and Joint Surgery Clinic has been the trusted choice for expert, patient-centered care. We’ll create a treatment plan to help you heal and regain mobility, so you can get back to doing the things you love.