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What You Can Expect From Cortisone Treatment

Many people who have been injured in a car accident may receive a cortisone injection to help them with their shoulder, knee, elbow or other joint pain. Cortisone shots help relieve pain and inflammation in a specific area of your body.

Cortisone shots usually include a corticosteroid medication and a local anesthetic. In many cases, cortisone shots can be administered in your doctor's office. However, the number of cortisone shots you can receive in one year may be limited because of potential side effects from the medication.

Cortisone shots carry a risk of complications, such as joint infection, nerve damage, skin and soft tissue thinning around injection site, temporary flare of pain and inflammation in the joint, tendon weakening or rupture, thinning of nearby bone (osteoporosis), whitening or lightening of the skin around the injection site.

There's some concern that repeated use of cortisone shots may cause deterioration of the cartilage within a joint. For this reason, doctors typically limit the number of cortisone shots in a joint. The limit varies depending on the joint and the reason for treatment. In general, people with osteoarthritis or other non-inflammatory conditions may be limited to four total cortisone shots per joint. People with rheumatoid arthritis may be limited to three or four cortisone shot per joint per year.

What you can expect

According to mayoclinic.com, here’s what you can expect from your cortisone shot:

Your doctor may ask you to remove your clothing and change into a gown. You'll then be positioned in a way that allows your doctor to most easily insert the needle.

The area around the injection site is cleaned. Your doctor may also apply an anesthetic spray to numb the area where the needle will be inserted.

The needle is then inserted into the injection site. If you're receiving a cortisone shot in a joint, the doctor inserts the needle inside the joint. You'll likely feel some pressure when the needle is inserted. Let your doctor know if you're uncomfortable.

The medication is then released into the injection site. What medication you receive is up to your doctor. 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 experience redness and a feeling of warmth of the chest and face after receiving a cortisone shot. If you have diabetes, a cortisone shot might temporarily elevate your blood sugar levels.

After your cortisone shot, your doctor may 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.
• Watch for signs of infection, including increasing pain, redness and swelling that last more than 48 hours.

Results of cortisone shots typically depend on the reason for the treatment. Cortisone shots commonly cause a temporary flare in pain and inflammation for up to 48 hours after the injection. After that, you should experience decreased pain and inflammation at the injection site.

For more on medical issues, see the library of articles by Daytona Beach personal injury attorney.




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