What happens during the procedure?
Your doctor will ask you to sit or stand in a certain position to best target the muscle or joint. He or she will then inject the medication into the area.
The medication is sometimes mixed with an a local anesthetic to numb the area and provide almost instant relief. Injection into a muscle or joint that already causes you trouble may be painful. Let your doctor know if you are allergic to local anesthetics.
How should I prepare for this procedure?
Let your doctor know if you are currently taking any medications and follow your doctor's instructions. Often doctors recommend that you do not take any blood thinning medications for a few days before the procedure. You should also let your doctor know if you have diabetes as cortisone can temporarily cause an increase in blood sugar in people with this condition. Occasionally, your doctor may have to adjust your medications for diabetes.
Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications that you are taking. Also tell them about any medication allergies and medical conditions that you may have.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist whether you need to stop taking any of your medications before the procedure.
What can I expect after the procedure?
Many people have some immediate relief from their pain after the injection. This happens because the anesthetics in the injection instantly numb the area.
A few hours after the injection, some pain may return and this can last up to 48 hours, occasionally feeling even worse than before the injection. Applying ice to the area can help relieve soreness. The corticosteroids in the injection begin to work a few days later, often bringing long-lasting relief to the joint or muscle. For best results, the affected joint should not bear any weight for 24 to 48 hours immediately following the injection. Bearing weight or repeating movements may cause the medication to leak out of the joint.
In very rare cases, the joint or muscle may appear red or swollen, liquids may leak from it, or you may develop a fever or chills. Report these symptoms to your doctor immediately as it is possible you have an infection that requires medical attention.
Results
Corticosteroid injections bring pain relief to the affected area that can last for a number of months.