Cortisone Injections

Cortisone shots are injections that can help relieve pain and inflammation in a specific area of your body. They’re most commonly injected into joints — such as your ankle, elbow, hip, knee, shoulder or wrist. Even the small joints in your hands or feet might benefit from cortisone shots.

The injections usually contain a corticosteroid medication and a local anesthetic and can be done at your doctor’s office. Because of potential side effects, the number of shots you can get in a year generally is limited.

Cortisone shots might be most effective in treating inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis. They can also be part of treatment for other conditions, including bursitis, gout, osteoarthritis, tendinitis and other painful conditions.

Although cortisone injections are effective in treating these conditions, having multiple injections in a short period of time can have negative impacts on the joint being injected such as cartilage loss or thinning, weakening of tendons, death or thinning of nearby bone etc.  Therefore, recommendations are to not have more than three or four injections in a year and to wait at least six weeks between injections.

What should I expect when getting a cortisone injection?
The area around the injection site is cleaned. Your doctor might also apply an anesthetic spray to numb the area where the needle will be inserted. In some cases, your doctor might use ultrasound to watch the needle’s progress inside your body — so as to place it in the right spot.

You’ll likely feel some pressure when the needle is inserted. Let your doctor know if you have a lot of discomfort.

The medication is then released into the injection site. Typically, cortisone shots include a corticosteroid medication to relieve pain and inflammation over time and an anesthetic to provide immediate pain relief.

After the cortisone shot, some people have redness and a feeling of warmth of the chest and face. If you have diabetes, a cortisone shot might temporarily increase your blood sugar levels.

After your cortisone shot, your doctor might ask that you:

• Protect the injection area for a day or two. For instance, if you received a cortisone shot in your shoulder, avoid heavy lifting. If you received a cortisone shot in your knee, stay off your feet when you can.
• Apply ice to the injection site as needed to relieve pain. Don’t use heating pads.
• Not use a bathtub, hot tub or whirlpool for two days. It’s OK to shower.
• Watch for signs of infection, including increasing pain, redness and swelling that last more than 48 hours.

Aaron Armstrong, MPE, ATC

Athletic Trainer

Elite Sports Medicine Clinic at the Sports, Spine and Rehabilitation Centre
esmbahamas@gmail.com

^{Aaron Armstrong holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Temple University in Philadelphia, PA in Athletic Training and has been a Board Certified Athletic Trainer since 2012.  He also earned a Master of Physical Education degree in Athletic Administration from Idaho State University in Pocatello, ID.}

Our certified sports medicine team can help prevent and treat injuries to keep you performing at your best.