Cortisone Shots Pros & Cons

Cortisone injections or shots are a common treatment that doctors prescribe for musculoskeletal issues. Cortisone is a steroid, and also has many other medical applications. Dermatologists, for example, use it to treat certain skin conditions and to reduce inflammation.

Cortisone Shots Pros & Cons

What is a corticosteroid injection/cortisone shot?

Cortisone is a type of steroid that mimics your body’s natural corticosteroid hormones (cortisone and hydrocortisone) produced by the adrenal glands. They are not the same as anabolic steroids sometimes misused by athletes and bodybuilders. Unlike anabolic steroids, corticosteroids don’t increase your muscle strength.

What do cortisone shots help with?

Corticosteroids that are used appropriately can help a variety of conditions such as:

Arthritis
Tennis elbow
Golfers elbow
Bursitis of the hip, knee or shoulder
Frozen shoulder
Plantar fasciitis
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Herniated disc
Rotator cuff injury
Tendonitis
Knee pain/joint pain

Cortisone Shot Cons

Cortisone shots’ ability to almost fully relieve pain is extraordinary, but there are some negatives to consider. The side effects that a cortisone shot can trigger may counterbalance or outweigh its ability to reduce pain and inflammation.

Cortisone Shot Side Effects

According to the National Institutes of Health, the side effects from cortisone shots include:

Dizziness or headaches.
Skin issues, including dryness, thinness, acne, dry skin, and red or purple blotches.
Fatigue and trouble sleeping.
Mood swings and disturbances.
Increased appetite, weight gain, and water retention.

More Serious Cortisone Shot Side Effects Include:

Vision problems.
Difficulty breathing or swallowing.
Swelling in various areas of the body.
Rash, hives, and itching.

Side effects can vary from person to person. They could be mild or severe. They might appear with short-term use or never show up at all. Long-term, repeated administration of cortisone shots can be particularly problematic, as frequent injections in the same joint can damage it, as well as the surrounding soft tissue.

It’s important to remember that cortisone injections alter your immunity function, lowering the inflammatory response that your body mounts to fight injury and infection. This will reduce pain and swelling, but it can leave you susceptible to infections and other issues.

What Are the Pros of Cortisone Shots?

While cortisone shots can offer substantial pain relief to some people, cortisone is not actually a pain reliever. Cortisone works because it reduces swelling and inflammation, which are major contributors to some painful conditions.

Another advantage of cortisone injection is that the doctor administers the shot at an injection site directly where it is needed. This means that the drug’s effect is limited to a specific area and you avoid having your entire system exposed to a high concentration of the drug.

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Disclaimer
The information contained on this webpage is for educational purposes as well as to provide general information and general understanding of the pertinent medical issue only, not to provide a specific diagnosis. This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. By using this blog/web site you understand there is no doctor patient relationship between you and the blog/web site publisher. The information included on this site should not be used as a substitute for medical advice from a licensed medical professional in your state. Neither Urgent Care Network, its subsidiaries, affiliates, assignees or successors in interest, nor any other party assume liability for loss or damage due to reliance on content of this blog/web site. If you are experiencing a severe medical issue, you should seek emergency assistance immediately.

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