What Are the Dangers of Cortisone Shots?

Cortisone injections are commonly used to alleviate swelling, inflammation and pain associated with injuries and arthritis. Although they are often successful, there are risks. According to the Mayo Clinic, many doctors limit the number of cortisone shots an individual can receive due to the associated side effects.

Cortisone Flare

• Cortisone flare is basically an adverse reaction to a cortisone injection. The American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine reports that during this reaction, the injected cortisone crystallizes and results in worse pain than the patient experienced prior to the treatment. Although always a risk, flares occur in only a small percentage of cortisone shot recipients and are usually resolved in 24 to 48 hours.

Weakening of Cartilage and Tendons

• Repeated injections have been shown to result in weakening of cartilage and tendons in the immediately affected area. According to the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, this generally occurs only in those who have several injections in the same area in a relatively short time. This can usually be avoided by spacing injections appropriately.

Skin Lightening

• Skin lightening can often occur in the area near the joint where the cortisone was injected. This most often occurs in darker-skinned people and generally is not permanent. Thinning of the skin around the initial injection area has also been reported, although very rarely.

Infection

• Anytime an opening is created from the outside of the body to the inside, whether it be through an injection or a surgical procedure, there is a risk of infection. Although this rarely occurs with cortisone injections, it is possible. Infection can generally be avoided by following proper sterilization techniques on both the syringe and skin area.