Pros and Cons of Cortisone injection
Common Conditions Cortisone Injections Are Used In Treating
Cortisone injections are successfully used to treat a variety of joint and soft tissue conditions in the body. Frequently, cortisone injections are used to treat:
Inflammation of a bursa: Known as bursitis, this condition can occur in many areas of the body, including the hip, knee, elbow, or shoulder.
Inflammation of a tendon or tendon sheath: Cortisone injections are often used to treat conditions like tennis elbow or Achilles tendon complaints.
Arthritis management: Cortisone injections can be effective in managing forms of arthritis, such as osteoarthritis of the hip, knee, or ankle.
Frozen shoulder: Cortisone can help provide pain relief and assist in restoring mobility for individuals suffering from a frozen shoulder.
Epidural injections in the spine: These can be used to help relieve back pain, neck pain, and sciatica by injecting cortisone into a specific location within the spinal canal.
Benefits of Cortisone Injections
Cortisone injections can provide relief for localized inflammation in specific areas of the body. The effect can be more rapid and powerful than oral anti-inflammatory medications, while avoiding some of the side effects associated with oral treatments, such as stomach irritation.
What Are the Potential Side Effects and Disadvantages?
There are a few potential side effects associated with cortisone injections that need to be considered when weighing up the pros and cons:
Local infection: This is the most significant potential side effect, especially when the injection is into a joint. However, the risk is extremely low with proper preparation.
Pain during the injection: Some patients may find the injection process painful, and a small percentage may experience a “steroid flare,” where pain worsens for 2-3 days post-injection. This can be managed with ice and painkillers until the flare settles.
Tenderness and bruising: Short-term tenderness and bruising at the injection site can occur, similar to receiving a vaccination.
Steroid flush: Some patients may feel red, flushed, and hot in the face temporarily after the injection.
Other reported side effects include:
Skin changes: Shrinkage or lightening of the skin color at the injection site.
Tendon weakening: Cortisone injections administered near tendons may weaken them, with tendon ruptures being reported in rare cases.
Anxiety and sleep disturbance: Some patients report feeling mildly anxious or agitated, or experiencing difficulty sleeping for the first night or two following an injection.
Elevated blood sugar: This is a common side effect for diabetic patients, who should monitor their blood sugar levels after the injection.
Increased blood pressure: Hypertensive patients should be aware of the possibility of a slight rise in blood pressure and monitor it after receiving a cortisone injection.
How Often Can Someone Have a Cortisone Injection?
The frequency of cortisone injections depends on the condition being treated and is determined on a case-by-case basis. If the initial injection provides a cure, further injections may not be necessary. While cortisone injections are not usually administered regularly, a series or follow-up injections may be required in some cases, such as for osteoarthritis of the knee or trigger finger.
There is no absolute maximum number of cortisone injections a person can receive, but the risk of side effects increases with the number of injections. The risk-to-benefit ratio should always be considered before administering any cortisone injection, regardless of how many have been given previously.
Disclaimer: Epoch Health provides this information as an educational service and it is not intended to serve as medical advice. Anyone seeking specific advice or assistance on the pros and cons of cortisone injections should consult their chiropractor, sports medicine specialist, orthopedic surgeon, or another appropriately skilled practitioner.