Will a Cortisone Injection Help?

What is Cortisone?

Cortisone is a steroidal medication that is used to help reduce and control inflammation. It is used in the treatment of many conditions all over the body, including the skin, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal and respiratory systems.

Will a cortisone injection help my joint pain?

Cortisone injections can be very helpful in reducing pain and inflammation. Sounds great right? Unfortunately like most things in life, it’s not quite the magic pill to cure all ailments. In some cases, yes it can be helpful, however in other cases it can be harmful. For example, in bursitis cortisone can be extremely helpful however in the presence of tendinopathy and arthritis it can cause unnecessary harm, impacting upon the aging of tendons and joint surfaces. This risk is increased when cortisone injections are used repeatedly. However, this isn’t to say that cortisone injections shouldn’t be utilised. They can provide effective short-term relief in a particularly painful and irritable condition. It’s just that the long-term effects need to be considered and weighed up, particularly in the context of repeat injections.

In our experience, inflammation (such as bursitis) doesn’t occur in isolation. It is often a result of weakness, tendon changes or something else. This highlights the importance of identifying the primary cause of the issue and If necessary, using the cortisone injection alongside an appropriate exercise program.

In summary, cortisone injections can help but need to be carefully considered and utilised in combination with a tailored exercise program which addresses the cause of the issue.