Cortizone Injection in Shoulder Injuries

Cortisone injections are helpful in relieving the pain and inflammation associated with arthritis, general overuse, and shoulder injuries due to sports. These injections are also used to assist rehabilitation following shoulder surgery.

What is Cortisone

• Cortisone is corticosteroid pain medication. It is injected into the area of pain or inflammation. It is used as a last resort when attempts to treat shoulder pain and inflammation with anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy have not been successful.

Injection Pain

• The injection itself can be very painful. Pain from the injection may persist for up to an hour afterward, and it may remain noticeable for several days due to soft tissue irritation.

Benefits

• Cortisone injections are not meant to cure an injury, but are used to provide temporary relief from pain. The beneficial effects of the injection can last several weeks and allow you to exercise and strengthen your shoulder without pain.

Caution

• Be aware that the effect of these injections can give you a false sense of being healed. Even if you are pain-free, resist returning to your activities too soon, because you could do further damage to the shoulder.

Side Effects

• Side effects of cortisone injections include infection and slight discoloration in the pigment of the skin at the injection site, degeneration of tendon tissue, and increased blood sugar levels.