Why cortisone shots are painful

They may have pain in the joint where the shot was given. This pain tends to go away after a few days.

In this article, we examine the pain and other side effects that may occur after a cortisone injection. We also look at cortisone injections in general, including how long they last and recovery after having one. A cortisone flare is the most common immediate side effect of a cortisone injection.

Some people may notice a flare-up of pain in the joint for the first 24 hours after receiving the injection, although this is rare. The discomfort can often be managed by taking over-the-counter painkillers. Flares can last for days. As well as intense pain, people may have a buildup of fluid around the affected joint. Besides general pain and discomfort immediately after the shot, other side effects that may cause pain include:. In general, cortisone injections are delivered with minimal to no side effects.

However, the stronger the mixture, the higher the chance there is of side effects occurring. People should contact their doctor if they have any concerns about side effects they are experiencing.

Some people will be given a local anesthetic alongside their cortisone injection. If a local anesthetic is used, then the shot may cause numbness that can last for up to 24 hours. This can make driving difficult, so the individual may want to arrange transport home from the hospital after receiving the injection. Another option is an anesthetic spray, which can be sprayed onto the site of the injection to the numb the skin.

Using this spray does not make driving difficult. If the injection was made directly into a joint, then people are advised to rest that body part for 1 to 2 days, or at least avoid heavy exercise.

However, if the person is undergoing physiotherapy , then the physiotherapist may want to continue treatment immediately while the joint is less painful. In some cases, such as when other treatment is not working or is less effective, repeated cortisone injections are given.

In general, these are only used as a short-term solution to give the doctor time to work out the right medication. People looking for a long-term solution are often advised to undergo physical therapy or make certain lifestyle changes, such as losing weight or changing footwear. There is no reason for someone not to drink alcohol after receiving a cortisone injection. The shot should not affect fertility, pregnancy, or breast-feeding.

Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory treatment. The shots are commonly used to treat pain and inflammation caused by conditions like tendonitis , bursitis , and arthritis. Problems with cortisone shots can range from mild to quite serious. For example, hemarthrosis bleeding into the joint can occur, especially if you are taking blood thinners for another condition. Be sure to tell your healthcare provider before a cortisone shot if you are taking these kinds of drugs.

This is the "cortisone flare. Other side effects may include:. Cortisone shots are used to treat people who have joint pain and inflammation, often at the knees and shoulders. But there are side effects. Some people have a cortisone flare reaction after the shot. It's usually easy to treat the flare yourself, but there are times when you may need to call a healthcare provider. There are two causes of flaring after the shot.

They are:. The best treatments for a cortisone flare are:. If pain, redness, or swelling begin several days or weeks after the shot, this is not a cortisone flare reaction. Call your healthcare provider, especially if you have a fever with these symptoms.

Cortisone flare reactions are almost always brief, and typically will begin to ease within a few hours or days. That's especially likely as the cortisone begins to work on the inflammation.

If your symptoms get worse despite ice and over-the-counter pain relief, you should call your healthcare provider.

Also call if pain, redness, swelling, or a fever begin several days or weeks after the shot, because that is not a flare reaction. Your healthcare provider can help to diagnose the reason. Cortisone can deliver real relief from joint pain caused by inflammation, but some people will have a reaction from the shot. This is called a cortisone flare reaction. In most cases, the discomfort from a flare reaction is treated with rest, ice, and over-the-counter medication.

If pain and other symptoms don't go away in a day or two, or get even worse, call your healthcare provider. There's concern that repeated cortisone shots might damage the cartilage within a joint. So doctors typically limit the number of cortisone shots into a joint.

In general, you shouldn't get cortisone injections more often than every six weeks and usually not more than three or four times a year. If you take blood thinners, you might need to stop taking them for several days before your cortisone shot to reduce bleeding or bruising risk.

Some dietary supplements also have a blood-thinning effect. Ask your doctor what medications and supplements you should avoid before your cortisone shot. Tell your doctor if you've had a temperature of Your doctor might ask you to change into a gown.

You'll then be positioned so that your doctor can easily insert the needle. The area around the injection site is cleaned. Your doctor might also apply an anesthetic spray to numb the area where the needle will be inserted. In some cases, your doctor might use ultrasound or a type of X-ray called fluoroscopy to watch the needle's progress inside your body — so as to place it in the right spot. You'll likely feel some pressure when the needle is inserted.

Let your doctor know if you have a lot of discomfort. The medication is then released into the injection site. Typically, cortisone shots include a corticosteroid medication to relieve pain and inflammation over time and an anesthetic to provide immediate pain relief.

Some people have redness and a feeling of warmth of the chest and face after a cortisone shot. If you have diabetes, a cortisone shot might temporarily increase your blood sugar levels.