What are the negative effects of cortisone shots?

Side effects can include:

• Cartilage damage.
• Death of nearby bone.
• Joint infection.
• Nerve damage.
• Temporary facial flushing.
• Temporary flare of pain and inflammation in the joint.
• Temporary increase in blood sugar.
• Tendon weakening or rupture.

Are cortisone shots worth it?

If arthritis pain is preventing you from doing everyday activities, going to work, or exercising, a cortisone shot may be worth considering. Keep in mind that a cortisone shot should just be one part of a larger treatment plan that helps you maintain long-term joint pain relief.

Is it safe to have a cortisone shot?

Cortisone isn’t a painkiller, though. It’s an anti-inflammatory medication, and reducing inflammation is what decreases the pain. Cortisone shots are very safe to give, and side effects tend to be rare and minor.

Why is cortisone bad for your body?

Cortisone can weaken your body’s response to infections. This can be severe or fatal. The drug can also cover up the symptoms of an infection. For people with high blood pressure or heart problems: This drug can raise your blood pressure.

Do cortisone shots actually make things worse?

People go every day to their orthopedist or their general practitioner and are getting a cortisone injection. They are getting these cortisone shots for pain. But the reality is that these injections may temporarily help the pain, but they weaken the tendons, ligaments, and muscles. And these injections probably contribute to a much worse outcome .

Why should you limit cortisone shots?

Having too many injections in the same target area can cause nearby tissues, such as joint cartilage, to break down. Corticosteroids can also cause skin at the injection site or the soft tissue beneath it to thin. This is why it’s recommended to limit the number of cortisone injections to three or four per year at any body region treated.

What are the long-term side effects of cortisone shots?

Cortisone shots can also come with some long-term side effects. Loss of bone density, weakened muscles, thinning of the skin, nerve damage and joint infections are among the most common potential reactions that can occur with frequent shots. Because of this, injections are typically limited to no more than four times per year.

What should I do after a cortisone shot?

Protect the injection area for a day or two.