Cortisone Injections Specialist

What are cortisone injections?

Cortisone is shorthand for a powerful anti-inflammatory steroid, and cortisone injections can be an effective way of treating musculoskeletal pain as part of a larger treatment plan including exercise, physical therapy and medications. The Pain Management Specialists team uses cortisone injections to reduce tissue inflammation in many body parts, including your:

• Spine
• Hip
• Knee
• Shoulder
• Wrist
• Muscles
• Tendons

Why might I need cortisone injections?

You might need cortisone injections if you have a chronic musculoskeletal condition such as:

• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Facet arthritis
• Bursitis
• Osteoarthritis
• Tendinitis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Sacroiliitis
• Myofascial pain

These conditions are generally treatable using conservative methods such as physical therapies, chiropractic, and medication. However, if your pain isn't improving, cortisone injections may help to advance your treatment. When cortisone injections don’t work for arthritic joints, joint replacement surgery may be necessary.

What happens when I have a cortisone injection?

The Pain Management Specialists team has considerable experience in performing a range of injection treatments, so you're in good hands. First, they clean the skin around the injection site, and then numb the skin with an anesthetic.

It’s important to ensure the cortisone gets to the exact spot where it can do the most good. The team may use either fluoroscopy or ultrasound imaging to ensure proper needle placement.

Once the needle is in the right place, your doctor delivers the cortisone, which is usually mixed with a local anesthetic to provide rapid relief.

When will I feel the benefit of my cortisone injections?

It can take several days or possibly longer for the cortisone to have an effect. In the meantime, you might experience a worsening of your joint pain, which is a common occurrence and nothing to worry about.

Once the initial reaction subsides, you should notice a reduction in pain levels that may last for up to six months. 

Are cortisone injections safe?

Cortisone is a powerful drug, and there’s a risk of side effects. However, in the expert hands of your Pain Management Specialists provider, cortisone injections are both effective and safe. Depending on the location of the injection, repeated cortisone injections may lead to further joint or tendon damage, so they’re not a good long-term solution for severe arthritis or tendinitis. 

To find out more about cortisone injections and how they can relieve your musculoskeletal pain, call Pain Management Specialists today or book an appointment online.