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Knee Pain and Cortisone Shot
A cortisone shot is a common treatment for joint pain caused by degenerative conditions, one of the most common of which is arthritis. Many people with knee problems turn to cortisone injections when other knee pain treatments have failed. Cortisone shots can help, however, they are not the answer for everyone 1.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
What Is Cortisone?
Cortisone is a type of steroid available in pill form or as an injection. While many knee injections are referred to as “cortisone injections,” some knee injections are simply the same class of steroid. According to the Mayo Clinic, most knee injections include a combination of corticosteroids, such as:
- cortisone,
- a local anesthetic
- which decreases discomfort during the injection process 1
Cortisone helps to reduce inflammation, which makes it an effective pain treatment for certain conditions.
Types of Knee Conditions
Types of Injections for Knee Pain
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Cortisone injections are commonly used to treat joint pain associated with conditions such as arthritis. The types of arthritis that may affect the knees include osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Cortisone injections may also be used to treat knee pain associated with similar conditions, including lupus and gout. Tendinitis of the knee may also respond well to cortisone injections.
- Cortisone injections are commonly used to treat joint pain associated with conditions such as arthritis.
- Tendinitis of the knee may also respond well to cortisone injections.
Considerations for Cortisone Injections
A cortisone injection may help treat knee pain that is not responsive to over-the-counter anti-inflammatory or pain medications or physical therapy. While it is considered an invasive procedure, most people find a cortisone injection preferable to surgery. For people with degenerative joint conditions such as arthritis, a cortisone injection may buy time before a more invasive treatment is needed. A cortisone injection may be a single event or a series of shots, depending on the knee condition 1. According to the Mayo Clinic, certain conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis may restrict the number of cortisone injections available 1. Also, after a few injections, a doctor may pursue another option for pain relief.
- A cortisone injection may help treat knee pain that is not responsive to over-the-counter anti-inflammatory or pain medications or physical therapy.
- For people with degenerative joint conditions such as arthritis, a cortisone injection may buy time before a more invasive treatment is needed.
What to Expect
What Are the Causes of Bilateral Elbow Pain?
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Cortisone injections are generally performed in a doctor’s office as an outpatient procedure. When a doctor administers a cortisone shot to the knee, he will first clean the area and possibly apply a numbing agent. The injection does not take long to perform, however, it may feel uncomfortable. After the injection is finished, the site may be sore for several hours or a few days. The Mayo Clinic advises icing the knee to reduce pain.
- Cortisone injections are generally performed in a doctor’s office as an outpatient procedure.
- When a doctor administers a cortisone shot to the knee, he will first clean the area and possibly apply a numbing agent.
Warning
Cortisone shots are not effective for everyone 1. In fact, for some people, they may cause an adverse reaction. Medline Plus lists bruising among the possible reactions, and the Mayo Clinic reports, for some people, pain and swelling of the knee may temporarily increase. However, both of these symptoms should subside within a day or two. Signs of a serious reaction to cortisone injections include a rash, unusual bleeding and excessive swelling in the legs. These reactions require immediate medical attention.
- Cortisone shots are not effective for everyone 1.
- Medline Plus lists bruising among the possible reactions, and the Mayo Clinic reports, for some people, pain and swelling of the knee may temporarily increase.
Related Articles
References
- Mayo Clinic: Cortisone Shots
- Medline Plus: Hydrocortisone Injection
- Daftary AR, Karnik AS. Perspectives in ultrasound-guided musculoskeletal interventions. Indian J Radiol Imaging. 2015;25(3):246-260. doi:10.4103/0971-3026.161445
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Achilles tendinitis.
- Coombes BK, Bisset L, Brooks P, Khan A, Vicenzino B. Effect of corticosteroid injection, physiotherapy, or both on clinical outcomes in patients with unilateral lateral epicondylalgia: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2013;309(5):461-469. doi:10.1001/jama.2013.129
Writer Bio
Erica Jacques is an occupational therapist and freelance writer with more than 15 years of combined experience. Jacques has been published on Mybackpaininfo.com and various other websites, and in "Hope Digest." She earned an occupational therapy degree from Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh, Scotland, giving her a truly global view of health and wellness.