Cortisone
What is Cortisone?
Cortisone is a potent anti-inflammatory medication that is used to treat pain and inflammation in joints and soft tissues. Cortisone injections are used after an injury to accelerate the healing process or for chronic conditions where continual, low grade injury is present.
What to expect during a cortisone injection?
Cortisone is normally injected with a local anesthetic (freezing) to help with pain relief but to also help diagnose conditions. Patients can expect some increased pain at the injection site for 2-3 days after the injection. The maximum anti-inflammatory effects of cortisone occur 2-3 weeks after the injection. Depending on the condition being treated, the injection can last 3-6 months.
Ultrasound-guided injections
Depending on the condition being treated, ultrasound may be used to help guide the injection into the exact location that is injured
What injuries can be treated with cortisone?
- Trigger fingers
- Finger, thumb, and wrist arthritis
- Shoulder bursitis
- Shoulder tendonitis
- Tennis elbow (lateral epicondylitis)
- Golfer’s elbow (medial epicondylitis)
- Osteoarthritis of the shoulder, hip, and knee
- Hip labral tears
- Achilles tendonitis