Cortisone shots are commonly injected into the hips, knees, shoulders and the back to help alleviate pain and reduce inflammation caused by arthritis. This medication reduces swelling by calming your body's response to wear and tear in the joints. According to the Mayo Clinic, cortisone shots are a combination of different medications that include a corticosteroid and a local anesthetic, such as lidocaine. The local anesthetic provides immediate numbness of the joint, and the corticosteroid is intended to provide long-term relief of joint pain. The effectiveness of cortisone shots varies from person to person.
Side Effects
According to the Mayo Clinic, cortisone shots can pose significant side effects. These include death of the bone in the joint, joint infection, nerve damage, skin thinning around the joint, tendon weakening and pain. These complications can be reduced if your doctor practices proper sterile and injection techniques. Do not use this medication if you have previously had an allergic reaction to corticosteroids. Call 911 to seek immediate medical attention if you are having difficulty breathing.
Long-term Effects of Multiple Injections
The frequency of injections is limited to four per joint per year, according to the Mayo Clinic (see Reference 1). Too many corticosteroid injections can lead to destruction of the cartilage in the joint. Cartilage provides the cushion necessary to prevent bone-to-bone contact in joints. Therefore, a reduction in cartilage over the long-term can become painful and worsen your arthritis symptoms. If you have rheumatoid arthritis, the frequency of injections is slightly higher at one per joint per month, depending on your doctor's discretion.
Contraindications
As with all medications, there are reasons you should not get at cortisone injection. According to the journal "American Family Physician," you should not get an injection if you have an infection of the skin over the joint, infection of the joint, a systemic infection, a fracture, an artificial joint, inflamed tendons or a history of allergy to injected medications. Seek other options from your doctor if these contraindications apply to you.
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