Some Risks of Cortisone Shots

Cortisone shots are frequently used to treat pain and inflammation somewhere in the body. They are commonly used in arthritic or injured joints, and the actual composition of the cortisone shot can vary. The injection usually contains a corticosteroid and a local anesthetic. While there can be short-term benefits to cortisone shots that make them very popular among athletes and others with frequent joint pain, there are risks associated with the injections, as well.

Cartilage Deterioration

• The Mayo Clinic reports that repeated cortisone injections into a joint can increase the odds of cartilage deterioration in that joint, which can lead to a long-term increase in the odds of severe arthritis as well as an increased likelihood of requiring a joint replacement surgery. The body heals itself through inflammation, and when the cortisone shot prevents the inflammation, the body is not able to heal correctly and the connective tissue continues to degrade. Cortisone shots do not treat an injury or condition, they merely affect the pain the condition causes.

Pain Flareups

• While cortisone shots are designed to stop pain, there is the occasional side-effect of a severe pain response to the shot that can last for several days before it dissipates. This is especially possible if the cortisone shot is injected into an arthritic joint. The joint can become extremely inflamed in response to the injection in spite of the anesthetic and make the condition much worse until the steroids take effect and limit the inflammation again.

Skin Problems at Injection Site

• The repeated introduction of cortisone shots into the same area can cause the skin to thin at the injection site and result in easier bleeding. The skin also frequently loses pigmentation over time, and this results in white or splotchy skin in any areas where cortisone shots have been injected. This can result in self-esteem problems and possible depression in response to the alteration in appearance.

Repeated Injury

• One risk that athletes have in relation to cortisone shots is that the masking of pain can result in the athlete over-training and worsening the initial injury because the pain response is blocked out. This can affect arthritic patients as well, but athletes are more susceptible because of the pressure to perform in addition to the fact that the injury is not likely a regular problem and is therefore more easily ignored when pain is not an issue.