Cortisone injection (steroid injection): a comprehensive guide to reduce inflammation and pain

In today's medical world, advanced treatment methods such as cortisone injections (steroid injections) play an important role in the management of pain and inflammation. If you also suffer from joint pain, arthritis or inflammation of tendons, this method can be an effective option for you. At the clinic of Dr. Homan Kokbi, **surgeon and orthopedic specialist in Tehran**, we help patients improve their quality of life by using modern techniques such as cortisone injections. In this blog post, we provide a complete review of cortisone injections, including what they are, how they work, benefits, side effects, and important tips for patients. This information is based on valid medical knowledge and can help you make an informed decision. What is a cortisone injection (steroid injection)? A cortisone injection (steroid injection) delivers a dose of medicine directly to the problem spot in your body. Corticosteroids can help reduce inflammation. Injections can be helpful in treating conditions such as arthritis, tendonitis, or bursitis of the knee. A cortisone injection is a drug injection that relieves pain and reduces inflammation (swelling). Orthopedic specialists also call them steroid injections. These are the same treatments, doses of a corticosteroid injected into your body. Corticosteroids (steroids) are synthetic drugs that closely resemble cortisol, a hormone produced by your adrenal glands. They temporarily reduce the activity of your immune system to reduce inflammation. Orthopedists commonly use cortisone injections to treat inflammation in your joints, including: the shoulders spine the hands the hips the knees the legs Your orthopedist may also use cortisone injections to treat inflammation in your tendons or bursae, the fluid-filled sacs that cushion the spaces around and between your joints, tendons, and bones. What conditions are treated with cortisone injections? An orthopedist may treat any condition that causes pain and inflammation with cortisone injections, including: - Autoimmune diseases - Arthritis - Tendonitis - Tendonopathy - bursitis - Carpal tunnel syndrome - Tennis elbow - Trigger finger or trigger thumb Details of steroid injection treatment ### What happens when I receive a cortisone injection? An orthopedist may give you a cortisone injection during a routine office visit. Or they may schedule a separate visit for the injection. Your doctor will insert a needle into the area that needs treatment and inject cortisone (a steroid). They may use ultrasound to guide the injection needle. ### Do cortisone or steroid injections hurt? A cortisone or steroid injection may cause a burning sensation when the doctor inserts the needle into your skin, but it should not cause severe pain. Your doctor may give you a local anesthetic to numb the area around the injection site. Tell your doctor if you are afraid or anxious about getting an injection. They will help you relax and feel more comfortable about getting steroid injections. What does a cortisone injection do? A cortisone injection reduces pain and inflammation in the area around where the doctor injects it. Inflammation usually happens when your immune system sends cells to fight infections or heal damage in your body. Your doctor will inject cortisone into the part of your body that is experiencing inflammation. Cortisone calms your immune system's response at that location. This reduces pain and inflammation. ### Do steroid injections affect the whole body? Your doctor will inject cortisone directly into the area of ​​your body that is experiencing inflammation. This delivers the dose of corticosteroid exactly where it is needed. Steroid medicine travels through your bloodstream and can affect other areas of your body. But these systemic effects are usually so small that you don't notice them. Risks and benefits of steroid injections ### What are the benefits of cortisone injection? Cortisone injections are a safe and effective way to relieve pain and inflammation. They can help you manage symptoms or conditions that make it hard (or impossible) to participate in all of your daily activities. ### What are the side effects of cortisone injection? The most common side effects of cortisone (steroid) injections are: - Pain at the injection site - Temporary increase in inflation - bruises - Temporary increase in blood sugar levels (People with diabetes should check their blood sugar levels more often for about five days after the cortisone injection.) - Color change or redness on the skin at the injection site. - Lightening of the skin or paleness near the injection site. It is rare for steroid injections to cause severe side effects, but you may experience: - Infections at the injection site - high blood pressure (hypertension) - Fluid retention and increased swelling. People who receive multiple rounds of steroid injections may have an increased risk of osteoporosis. ### When should you not receive steroid injections? You should not receive steroid injections if you have an infection. Corticosteroids have a short-term immunosuppressive effect and can make it harder for your body to fight infection and heal itself. People who take blood-thinning medications (anticoagulants) or have a bleeding disorder (such as hemophilia) may not be able to receive steroid injections. Tell your orthopedic doctor which conditions you have and how you manage them, including which medications or supplements you take. Recovery and perspective ### How long will it take for me to feel relief after a cortisone injection? How long it takes for cortisone injections to work varies from person to person. Your symptoms, such as pain and inflammation, may not get better right away. It may take up to a week for the cortisone injection to work. If more than 10 days have passed and you do not feel better, talk to your doctor. ### How often can you get steroid injections? You may only need a cortisone injection to relieve pain and inflammation, especially if you are recovering from a temporary injury. If you have a chronic (long-term) condition, you may need more steroid injections in the future. Your doctor will tell you when it is safe to take another dose. You should probably wait at least three months between steroid rounds. Most people should have no more than three injections per year. ### How long does a cortisone injection (steroid injection) last? Each person's body responds differently to cortisone injections. Steroid injections usually last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. If you experience inflammation after an injury, a cortisone injection should be effective enough to allow your body to fully heal. If you experience chronic inflammation, you may notice a gradual return of your symptoms over time. Talk to your healthcare provider if you notice new or worsening inflammation. When should I call the doctor? If you are still experiencing pain and inflammation more than 10 days after your cortisone injection, talk to your doctor. If your symptoms start to return a few months after the first cortisone injection, let them know. If you experience any of the following symptoms after a cortisone injection, see your orthopedic doctor: - Severe pain - Fever - Swelling that gets worse. Common questions ### Is cortisone a steroid? Cortisone is a type of corticosteroid. Your doctor may refer to cortisone injections or steroid injections as the abbreviated term "steroids." This means any medicine made to reduce swelling in your body. These anti-inflammatory steroids are different from the anabolic steroids that some athletes use to gain an unfair competitive advantage. Anabolic steroids are synthetic forms of testosterone. ### Are steroid injections safe? Cortisone injections or other types of corticosteroids prescribed by **the best orthopedic doctor** are safe. They will tell you which type of medicine you need and administer the injection themselves. Anabolic steroids are not safe for recreational or non-prescription use. Over-the-counter doses are often 10 to 100 times higher than what a doctor prescribes to treat a medical condition. Side effects of over-the-counter steroid injections are usually more severe and can be life-threatening. A tip from Dr. Homan Kokbi, an orthopedic surgeon in Tehran Orthopedic doctors use cortisone injections to treat inflammation throughout your body. They inject cortisone directly into the area experiencing inflammation. You should experience relief of symptoms about a week after the injection. Some people only need a cortisone injection to give their body time to heal after an injury. Others need regular injections to manage a chronic condition. Your doctor can tell you if or how often you need follow-up injections. If you have any questions about cortisone injection or need to consult an orthopedic specialist, contact Dr. Homan Kokbi's clinic in Tehran. We are ready to help you get rid of pain and inflammation with advanced methods. To book an appointment, visit our website.