 Health Care Services Hospitals & Facilities Health Information Find a Doctor Why Choose Baptist |
Cortisone Injection
|
Health Library Topics
|
|
|
|
What is cortisone? Cortisone is in a family of medicines called corticosteroids, which are strong anti-inflammatory drugs. Corticosteroids are used for many conditions. They can be taken by mouth or in a variety of other ways including creams, inhalers, or injections (shots). Because they have a similar name, corticosteroids are sometimes confused with anabolic steroids. They are not the same. Anabolic steroids are a group of drugs that increase muscle mass and strength. These are often used illegally by athletes and can have many harmful side effects. What is a cortisone injection used for? A cortisone shot is often used to give short-term pain relief and reduce the swelling from inflammation of a joint, tendon, or bursa (sac that provides cushion in a joint). These problems are common in knee, elbow, and shoulder joints. Reducing the swelling helps relieve pain and discomfort and can speed up recovery from an injury. A shot of cortisone may also be given to reduce inflammation over the whole body (for example, if you have an allergic reaction or a flare-up of rheumatoid arthritis). How is the shot given? The corticosteroid medicine is usually mixed with a local anesthetic and then injected into the painful area. At first, the shot may feel uncomfortable, but the local anesthetic will help with the discomfort. What happens after I get the shot? When the anesthetic wears off, the area where the shot was given may be quite sore. Your health care provider may recommend putting an ice bag on the area for 20 to 30 minutes every 3 to 4 hours after the shot and taking an anti-inflammatory medicine (such as ibuprofen). The cortisone will start to reduce the inflammation and give you pain relief within 2 to 3 days. In some cases, the cortisone will permanently relieve your symptoms. In other cases, the pain relief is temporary and can last anywhere from a couple of weeks to years. How well the shot works depends on many things, including the amount of drug given, the cause of the problem, if the shot is given in the right area, and other factors. Many chronic (ongoing) inflammatory conditions are caused by overuse. If you continue activities that overuse the injured area, the inflammation may return and the cortisone shot will probably not help that much. What are the risks? Side effects from cortisone shots are rare. Possible side effects at the site where the shot was given include:
Diabetics may have a temporary increase in their blood sugar after a shot. Cortisone can temporarily weaken the immune system. While receiving these shots, you should not get certain vaccines. Also, avoid contact with anyone who has chickenpox or measles, especially if you have never had these diseases. Your immune system may not be strong enough to fight off the infection while you are taking cortisone.  Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to
change as new health information becomes available. The
information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a
replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or
treatment by a healthcare professional.
HIA File MED4278F.HTM Release 9.0/2006. Copyright © 2006 McKesson Corporation and/or one of its subdiaries. All Rights Reserved.
 Top of Page |
Baptist Online Read the latest articles about a variety of health subjects, with many practical tips to help you take control of your health.  More
|
| Home | Health Care Services | Hospitals & Facilities | Health Information | Find a Doctor | Why Choose Baptist |
| ©2010 Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation. All Rights Reserved. Disclaimer. Notice of Privacy Practices. | |
 |
In keeping with the three-fold ministry of Christ — healing, preaching and teaching — Baptist Memorial Health Care Corporation is committed to providing quality health care. |