Dealing with persistent joint pain can affect everything from your daily routine to your favorite activities. If more conservative measures have not provided the relief you need, your doctor may discuss a cortisone shot.
A cortisone shot is a minimally invasive treatment in which a specialist injects a corticosteroid directly into a painful joint or surrounding tissue. This common procedure can relieve pain, swelling and inflammation right at the source, helping you get back to a more comfortable life.
Corticosteroids are powerful, manufactured drugs that closely mimic cortisol, a hormone your body naturally produces to calm inflammation. When a small, concentrated dose is injected into a stiff and painful joint, it works by quieting the body’s inflammatory response in that targeted area. This reduction in inflammation can help minimize pain and improve function.
It is important to understand that a cortisone shot does not heal the underlying injury. Instead, it provides a crucial window of pain relief, allowing you to engage more effectively in restorative treatments.
Orthopedic specialists may recommend cortisone injections to manage a wide range of inflammatory musculoskeletal conditions. The goal is to reduce your symptoms and improve your quality of life. Some of the most common conditions we treat with these injections include:
Osteoarthritis
Inflammatory arthritis (such as rheumatoid arthritis or gout)
Bursitis (inflammation of the cushioning sacs in a joint)
Tendinitis (inflammation of a tendon), which includes common overuse injuries like elbow tendinitis and patellar tendinitis
The only way to know for sure if a cortisone injection for knee pain or another issue is the right choice is to consult with an orthopedic specialist for a thorough diagnosis.
Although cortisone injections are common, there are risks, including a temporary “cortisone flare,” whitening of the skin or a short-term increase in blood sugar for patients with diabetes. To minimize the risk of long-term side effects, such as tendon or cartilage damage, specialists limit the number of injections a patient can receive in a single area.
The cortisone injection procedure is a quick in-office visit. After discussing your medical history, your specialist will clean the area and may apply a local anesthetic to numb the skin. To ensure precision and safety, your Fondren physician may use advanced ultrasound-guided techniques to deliver the medication to the exact spot where it is needed most.
Afterward, you can go home the same day. You may be advised to rest the joint and apply ice for a day or two. The initial numbing will wear off, and it can take several days for the steroid’s full anti-inflammatory effect to begin.
As one of Houston’s largest and most respected private orthopedic practices, Fondren Orthopedic Group is a physician-led group dedicated to providing comprehensive, patient-centered care. Our team of board-certified, sub-specialized physicians collaborates to create a personalized treatment plan for you, ensuring you receive the most effective and appropriate solution to manage your pain and restore your quality of life.
Schedule an appointment online today to speak with a Fondren specialist and discover the right path to recovery.
