Whether you’ve been experiencing a sharp pain in your knee every time you take a step, a dull ache in your hip that keeps you up at night, a shoulder that refuses to cooperate, or a back that constantly screams in protest, chronic pain can sideline you from the life you want to live. In your search for relief, you’ve probably heard of professional athletes getting cortisone shots to recover from injuries and get back in the game, and you might be wondering if this treatment could be right for you, too.

But first, you want to know exactly what cortisone injections are. These shots deliver a synthetic version of cortisol — a hormone naturally produced by your body — directly into the affected area to reduce swelling and irritation.

If you’re tired of living with pain and want to learn even more about this common and effective treatment, keep reading. Or, if you’re ready to speak with an expert, reach out to our specialists in North Jersey to see if this treatment is the right way to manage your shoulder, back, leg, or knee pain.

What Conditions Can Cortisone Shots Treat?

Cortisone injections are used to address inflammation in a variety of conditions affecting the joints, tendons, and soft tissues. They’re most commonly recommended for:

• Arthritis: One of the primary uses for cortisone shots is to reduce inflammation and stiffness caused by osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. They can be injected directly into the joint (such as the knee, hip, shoulder, or ankle) to provide quick relief and improve range of motion.
• Bursitis and Tendinitis: Inflammation of the bursa (the small fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joints) or tendons can cause significant discomfort. Cortisone shots help calm the irritation in these tissues when rest and physical therapy alone aren’t enough.
• Back and Neck Pain: Cortisone injections are often used to relieve pain caused by herniated discs, spinal stenosis, or sciatica. By reducing inflammation around the nerves and joints in the spine, patients can experience improved mobility and decreased nerve irritation.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: When the median nerve in your wrist becomes compressed, cortisone injections can reduce swelling and ease pressure on the nerve, improving hand and wrist function.
• Joint Injuries and Sports-Related Pain: Athletes and active individuals often benefit from cortisone injections when they are suffering from shoulder impingement, tennis elbow, or knee pain related to overuse.

The Major Benefits of Cortisone Shots for Pain

When you’re in pain, you just want relief. And if rest and physical therapy aren’t completely doing the job, a cortisone injection could be beneficial. In fact, many orthopedic specialists perform these treatments to help patients enjoy faster relief from their pain.

Other benefits of cortisone injections include:

Powerful Anti-Inflammatory Action

Inflammation is your body’s natural response to injury, but sometimes this response becomes chronic and over-the-top, creating a cycle of pain and swelling. Oral anti-inflammatory pills (like ibuprofen or naproxen) aren’t always capable of treating this type of inflammation, and a cortisone shot may be necessary.

These shots are much more effective than many pills because they deliver a high-potency dose of anti-inflammatory medication directly to the part of the body that’s inflamed. This can not only ease pain but also improve flexibility and function in joints.

Rapid Pain Relief

While not instantaneous, many patients begin to feel significant pain relief within 24 to 72 hours as the steroid begins to work. This can be life-changing for someone who has been in constant pain for weeks or months.

A Minimally Invasive, Outpatient Procedure

Compared to surgery, a cortisone injection is an incredibly simple, safe, and low-risk procedure. It is performed right in your doctor’s office and typically takes just a few minutes. There is no general anesthesia, no hospital stay, and minimal downtime. You can even get back to your day right after the appointment.

An Easy Step Toward Long-Term Healing

It’s natural for us to want to favor a joint that’s in pain. Unfortunately, in the long term, this can have a cascade of negative consequences. For example, if your shoulder hurts, you stop using it, and the surrounding muscles become weak and stiff. If your knee hurts, you limp, which can throw off your back and hips.

Instead of suffering in pain, you can use a cortisone shot to reduce any pain and inflammation in your joint so that you can more easily participate in physical therapy. When you’re able to perform exercises in the proper form without debilitating pain, you can strengthen supporting muscles, improve flexibility, and correct the underlying mechanical issue that caused the problem in the first place. 

So, if you’ve been struggling with your rehabilitation, a cortisone injection just may be the key to your long-term recovery.

Who Should Be Cautious About Cortisone Injections?

While there are several benefits of cortisone injections, they are not the right treatment option for everyone. A responsible physician will always review your full medical history before recommending one.

With that in mind, you must note that you may not be an eligible candidate for a cortisone injection if you: 

• Have an active infection: Injecting a steroid into an infected area can suppress the immune response and potentially make the infection worse.
• Have uncontrolled diabetes: Cortisone can cause a temporary but significant spike in blood sugar levels. If your diabetes is well-managed, your doctor can work with you to monitor your levels closely.
• Are on blood thinners: These medications can increase the risk of bleeding or bruising at the injection site.
• Have had multiple injections in the same spot: To avoid potential side effects like tendon weakening or cartilage damage, doctors limit the number of injections you can receive in a single area per year.
• Have a known allergy to corticosteroids or the local anesthetic used.

Ready to Say Goodbye to Chronic Pain? Call One Oak Medical!

If you’re tired of dealing with chronic pain and want to regain your mobility and quality of life, it may be time to explore cortisone injections. At One Oak Medical, our team of experienced orthopedic physicians in North Jersey will carefully assess your condition, review your medical history, and determine which treatments are best for you, whether that includes braces or splints, physical therapy, injections, or surgery.

So, don’t wait another day. Contact One Oak Medical and let us help you start your journey to a pain-free life.