Cortisone Injections
What Is a Cortisone Injection?
A cortisone injection delivers a concentrated dose of corticosteroid medication — a powerful anti-inflammatory — directly into or around a painful joint or soft tissue structure. Unlike an oral anti-inflammatory taken by mouth, injecting the medication directly at the source of inflammation allows for a stronger, more targeted effect with less medication circulating throughout the rest of the body. Cortisone injections are often combined with a local anesthetic, which can provide immediate, short-term pain relief while the cortisone itself takes effect over the following days.
When Are Cortisone Injections Used?
Cortisone injections are one of the most commonly used tools for managing pain and inflammation in both the knee and shoulder, and may be recommended for:
- Arthritis flare-ups, providing relief when pain and swelling are limiting daily activity
- Bursitis, calming an irritated and inflamed bursa
- Rotator cuff tendonitis or impingement, reducing inflammation around irritated tendons
- Persistent pain that hasn’t improved with rest, activity modification, or physical therapy alone
- As a diagnostic tool in some cases — if pain significantly improves after a cortisone injection, it can help confirm the specific structure that’s the source of a patient’s symptoms
How Is a Cortisone Injection Performed?
The injection is a quick, in-office procedure. After cleaning the skin, the provider inserts a thin needle into the target joint or soft tissue space, sometimes guided by ultrasound imaging to ensure precise placement, and injects the corticosteroid and anesthetic mixture. The entire process typically takes just a few minutes, and most patients return to normal activity the same day, avoiding only strenuous use of the treated area for a day or two.
How Long Does Relief From a Cortisone Injection Last?
Response varies by patient and by the underlying condition being treated, but many patients experience meaningful relief within a few days to a week, lasting anywhere from several weeks to a few months. Cortisone injections don’t repair damaged tissue or reverse arthritis — they reduce inflammation and calm pain, which can provide a valuable window of relief to progress with physical therapy or simply return to daily activities more comfortably.
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Are There Limits to How Often You Can Get a Cortisone Injection?
Yes. Because repeated cortisone injections into the same area can, over time, weaken tendons or accelerate cartilage breakdown, most providers limit injections into the same joint to roughly three or four times per year, with adequate spacing between each injection. This is one reason cortisone is often used as one part of a broader treatment plan rather than a stand-alone, repeatable solution — particularly when symptoms keep recurring shortly after each injection wears off, which may be a sign that a different or more definitive treatment should be considered.
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Dr. Palsis specializes in the treatment of knee, shoulder, and sports injuries.