What does a cortisone shot do?
Cortisone is a steroid medication used to treat various conditions in which inflammation causes swelling and pain. Since it is administered locally, there are often none of the systemic side effects associated with oral steroid use. After conservative therapy, like non-steroidal medications (Advil, etc.) have been attempted and failed, steroid injections are sometimes recommended for treatment of painful joints such as the knees. Injections are done in the office using sterile procedure, and patients generally have relief from symptoms in a few days. A frequent question concerns the number of injections that can be administered in a single joint. The general guideline is no more than three injections each year in the same site. Exceeding the recommended number of injections can result in damage to the surrounding tendon and compromise the integrity of the joints.
