How to Treat Shoulder Injuries With Cortisone

Cortisone can be given as an injection to treat injuries to joints and tissues. It is commonly used in the ankle, hip, knee, shoulder and spine, as well as other small joints. Cortisone also can be taken by mouth, inhaled or applied to the skin. An injection is used to reduce swelling in the joint that is causing inflammation and pain. Someone with a shoulder injury may benefit from a cortisone injection to speed up recovery and reduce pain.

Things You'll Need

• Ice pack
• Anti-inflammatory medication

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Instructions

• 1

  Visit your health care provider. He will administer the injection into your shoulder joint.

• 2

  Before the cortisone shot, change into a gown so your shoulder joint can be accessed.

• 3

  Have the doctor clean the injection site. He may apply a anesthetic spray to numb the area. The needle is inserted, and you will feel pressure in the joint. The medicine in the injection may include the cortisone as well as an anesthetic for immediate pain relief.

• 4

  Put an ice pack on the injection area for 20 minutes every few hours after the shot, as recommended by RelayHealth. Your doctor may suggest taking an anti-inflammatory medication as well.

• 5

  Monitor your symptoms. The cortisone should begin to reduce inflammation within two or three days. Sometimes the pain will go away completely, but generally the pain relief is temporary. Watch for signs of infection -- increased pain or swelling that lasts longer than two days. After that, you should feel less pain and inflammation.