Cortisone Injection at Alliance Orthopedics
Cortisone shots are one of several forms of corticosteroids that provide relief for musculoskeletal pain and inflammation. While they’re also available as liquids, creams, pills, and even medicines sprayed into the nose, the injectable version of corticosteroids is among the most common and well-known. Our team typically performs cortisone injections for the joints, especially around the spine, ankle, knee, shoulder, hip, arms, and wrist.
Cortisone Injection for Back Pain
A cortisone shot in the back can help address intense, difficult-to-treat pain in your arms or legs that result from inflamed spinal nerves. With this condition, nerve passages that traverse from your spine to your arms and legs become narrowed, leading to pain and inflammation.
Common conditions that can cause or worsen the narrowing of your nerve passage include:
- Slipped vertebrae
- Herniated discs
- Spinal arthritis
- Joint cysts
- Bone spurs
What to Expect
- Your Alliance Orthopedics healthcare provider will typically use an X-ray machine to guide the needle into the correct location.
- A constant dye is typically injected to ensure the medicine will go in the precise place it needs to be.
- Once proper placement is secured, the actual cortisone will be injected — as well as a local anesthetic — to assist with pain relief.
Cortisone Injection for Knee Pain
Ongoing knee pain can be debilitating. Not only can it reduce your mobility and make it difficult to accomplish ordinary daily tasks, but it can also cause you to limp, potentially leading to back problems and other musculoskeletal issues.
A cortisone shot may decrease inflammation and help reduce knee pain.
Cortisone shots in the knee may be ideal for patients who have:
- Osteoarthritis
- Post-traumatic arthritis
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Bursitis
- Meniscus tear
- Ligament tear
- Tendon tear
Getting a cortisone shot in the knee is a simple process that only takes a few seconds. Your Alliance Orthopedics doctor will clean the area, numb the skin, then perform the injection. The process is very straightforward and fast!Â
Cortisone Injection for Shoulder Pain
Arthritis and torn shoulder tendons can be extremely painful. A cortisone shot in your shoulder may offer quick and easy relief from the inflammation causing your pain. It may also allow you to regain mobility and resume normal activities that were previously too excruciating to endure.
Cortisone shots in the shoulder may help patients who have:Â
- Rotator cuff tendonitis or other issues
- Frozen shoulder
- Should joint arthritis
- Acromioclavicular degeneration
- Biceps tendonitis
Similar to a cortisone injection in the knee, this process is quick and easy. Consult with your Alliance Orthopedics specialist to see if a cortisone shot is right for you and your condition.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cortisone Shots
Do Cortisone Shots Help Immediately?
Although cortisone injections begin to work right away, the time frame until you feel relief can vary from patient to patient and depending on your particular condition. Some patients may feel near-immediate relief, while others report the pain gradually subsiding over a few days or weeks.
Are Cortisone Shots Painful?
Most cortisone shots aren’t particularly painful, but that can vary depending on the needle used and the injection site. Typically, the smaller the injection site, the more pain involved. Injections in the palm of a hand or the sole of a foot are reported to be the most painful.
Are Too Many Cortisone Injections Bad For You?
It’s possible that cortisone injections could cause damage to the cartilage within a joint. Consequently, we recommend that you shouldn’t get cortisone shots more often than every six weeks and generally no more than three to four times per year.
What Are The Possible Side Effects Of A Cortisone Injection?
The side effects of cortisone increase with repeated usage and large doses. The most common ones include:
- Cartilage damage
- Temporary facial flushing
- Nerve damage
- Joint infection
- Temporary flare of pain in the joint
- Temporary increase in blood sugar
- Thinning of skin around the injection site
- Weakening or rupture of a tendon
