Cortisone shots are a common medical treatment for pain, swelling, and irritation in specific body areas. These injections offer a targeted approach to managing various inflammatory conditions. This article explores what cortisone shots entail, how they function, their common applications, and important considerations.
What Are Cortisone Shots
A cortisone shot is an injection containing corticosteroid medication. This medication is administered directly into or near an affected area, such as a joint, tendon, or bursa. Healthcare providers may also refer to these as steroid injections. Corticosteroids are distinct from anabolic steroids, which are used to build muscle.
The purpose of a cortisone shot is to reduce inflammation and associated pain in a localized body region. This localized treatment contrasts with oral steroids, which affect the entire body.
How Cortisone Shots Work
Cortisone shots decrease the inflammatory response in the targeted area. The corticosteroid medication resembles cortisol, a hormone that temporarily calms the immune system’s activity. This suppression helps reduce swelling, pain, and stiffness.
Cortisone’s anti-inflammatory action manages symptoms rather than curing the underlying cause. While some experience immediate relief from a local anesthetic mixed with cortisone, the full anti-inflammatory effect typically takes a few days. This reduction in pain and inflammation can enable more effective participation in rehabilitation, such as physical therapy.
Common Applications
Cortisone shots treat conditions with localized inflammation and pain. They are applied to various joints, including shoulders, hips, knees, ankles, and smaller joints in hands and feet. Conditions like osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis commonly benefit.
Beyond arthritis, cortisone shots treat tendonitis, such as tennis elbow or rotator cuff injuries. Bursitis, an inflammation of fluid-filled sacs cushioning joints, is another common application. These injections can also alleviate symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome and certain types of back pain.
Important Considerations
While cortisone shots offer significant relief, understanding their considerations and limitations is important. Immediately after an injection, some may experience a temporary “cortisone flare” of increased pain, swelling, or irritation. This typically subsides within one to two days and can be managed with ice and rest. Other temporary side effects include skin discoloration or thinning at the injection site. For individuals with diabetes, cortisone shots may temporarily elevate blood sugar levels for several days.
More serious, though rare, risks include infection at the injection site, especially within a joint. There is also a small risk of tendon weakening or rupture, particularly with repeated injections into the same tendon. Long-term, frequent administration into a joint may lead to cartilage damage. Rare but severe complications like avascular necrosis, or death of bone tissue, have also been reported with frequent use, particularly in large joints.
Cortisone shots provide temporary relief, lasting weeks to months, but are not a cure. Due to potential side effects, injections into a single joint are typically limited to three or four per year. Exceeding this limit increases adverse effects. Healthcare providers assess each patient’s condition and history to determine appropriateness and frequency.
Alternative Approaches
Several alternative treatment options exist for managing inflammatory conditions, either alongside or instead of cortisone shots. Physical therapy improves strength, flexibility, and function through targeted exercises. Rest and R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) can reduce acute pain and swelling immediately after an injury.
Over-the-counter pain relievers, such as NSAIDs (ibuprofen or naproxen) and acetaminophen, manage discomfort by reducing inflammation or altering pain signals. Lifestyle modifications, including an anti-inflammatory diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids, can reduce systemic inflammation. Regular physical activity and weight management also improve joint health. These approaches offer a broader range of strategies.