Cortisone Shot

Written by WebMD Editorial Contributor, Marijke Vroomen Durning, RN
Medically Reviewed by Jabeen Begum, MD on January 15, 2025
9 min read

Cortisone shots (also called corticosteroid shots or steroid injections) are a treatment that some people get if they have joint pain, problems with their back, or some other painful condition. They’re literally shots of cortisone, and they can help reduce inflammation, which then helps reduce pain.

Getting a cortisone shot isn’t the same as getting steroids via IV or taking them by mouth. Injection into a joint or another specific part of the body is called local treatment, as it only affects that part of the body. Treatments taken through IV or orally are called systemic treatments because they affect your whole body.

Cortisone shots can help relieve inflammation and pain of many types, although they’re most commonly given to treat osteoarthritis and tendonitis. Here are some other common reasons why your health care provider may recommend a cortisone shot:

Cortisone shots for acne

If you have severe acne and no treatments have helped, your dermatologist might recommend cortisone shots to the affected areas. This isn’t a first-line treatment though and is not recommended for long-term use.

Cortisone shot for plantar fasciitis

Plantar fasciitis can cause severe pain along the bottom of your foot, making it hard to walk. If the standard treatments (stretching, icing, special shoe inserts, and shock wave therapy) don’t work, your doctor might recommend a steroid injection into the plantar fascia itself. This is the tissue that runs along the bottom of your foot from the heel to the base of your toes.

The injection can give you relief from the pain, but research shows that it might not last and there can be some serious side effects, like a ruptured tendon.

Cortisone isn’t a painkiller. Instead, it helps reduce pain by decreasing the inflammation that causes the pain. After your doctor injects the cortisone, the medication interacts with the cells in the joint or other affected areas. This reduces the inflammation. If the inflammation goes away, the pain should too.

It’s important to know a cortisone shot doesn’t show results right away. It can take a few days to feel any pain relief. Also, it’s often a temporary solution, as it doesn’t treat the root cause of the injury or condition, which means the pain can return.

You can get cortisone shots at your doctor's office. They offer relief for inflammation that's just in one part of your body — for instance, a knee or elbow affected by arthritis.

A single shot won't have certain side effects, such as stomach irritation, that can happen with systemic anti-inflammatory drugs.

Because cortisone is a medication, there can be side effects.

Short-term side effects of getting a cortisone shot 

Side effects that may last for a short time include:

  • Pain during the injection and at the site after
  • Swelling or bruising at the injection site
  • Redness, discoloration, or lightening of the skin around the injection site
  • A rise in blood glucose (sugar) levels, which means if you have diabetes, you should monitor your blood sugar closely for a few days after the injection
  • Redness (flushing of your face)
  • Insomnia for a day or two

Although rare, a cortisone shot could cause:

Long-term side effects of getting a cortisone shot

Long-term side effects depend on the dose and how often you get this treatment. With higher doses and frequent shots, potential side effects include:

  • Tendon damage and ruptures
  • Cartilage damage
  • Nerve damage
  • Joint infection
  • Thinning skin around the injection site

Severe side effects of getting a cortisone shot

Some of the long-term side effects could be severe:

Your doctor, nurse, or other health professional will use an alcohol or iodine-based cleaning solution to clean the area of your skin where you'll get the shot. You will get a numbing lotion or spray on that spot and then the doctor will insert the needle. Depending on where you are getting the injection, your doctor may need to use an ultrasound or special X-ray called a fluoroscopy to see exactly where to place the needle. You should only feel a little pain. Afterward, you'll wear a bandage over the injection site.

Are cortisone shots painful?

You might feel some pain when the needle is inserted, but people often report feeling more pressure than pain.

How long does the effect of cortisone shots last?

Everyone responds differently to medications, including cortisone shots. It can take up to a week before you feel the pain go away, and the effect can last up to several months before it wears off. 

How often can you get a cortisone shot?

How many or how often you get a cortisone shot depends on why you are getting it. Some people only need one shot, while others may need repeated treatment. However, you usually have to wait at least three months between shots, and most doctors limit the shots to no more than three in one year. More frequent shots can increase the risk of long-term side effects or complications.

Cortisone shots are usually given in a doctor’s office or clinic. It can be part of a routine visit or a special appointment just for the injection. 

Cortisone shot cost

Cortisone shots can cost between $100 and $300 for the injection itself if you don’t have insurance. If you do have insurance, your final cost would depend on your plan and your copay. There may be other fees added to that amount though to cover other costs. Ask your doctor’s office beforehand what the fee will be so you're prepared.

 

You might feel warm in your chest and face, or you might see redness around the shot location. 

Your doctor's after care instructions may include: 

  • Applying an ice pack at the injection site if you feel pain
  • Showers only (no baths or hot tubs)
  • Being gentle with the area around the injection for a couple of days. For example, if the shot is in your knee, limit exercise with your legs.

If you notice pain, redness, swelling, or signs of an infection after two days, call your doctor.

Not everyone should get a cortisone shot. You probably shouldn't get one if you:

  • Have an infection
  • Have recently broken a bone
  • Take anticoagulants (blood thinners)
  • Have a bleeding disorder, such as hemophilia
  • Have surgery planned within the following three months
  • Have a spinal condition that causes neuropathy (damage to the nerves)

Before having a cortisone shot, your doctor will likely recommend some other treatments to try to manage the pain, such as:

  • Over-the-counter (OTC) pain relievers such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen or naproxen. 
  • Pain-relieving creams, ointments, gels, or patches
  • Dietary supplements, such as glucosamine
  • Bracing the area with a splint or using crutches or shoe inserts
  • Physical therapy
  • Occupational therapy

Other injections

There are also other types of injections you might try:

Hyaluronic acid injections. If cortisone shots are not an option for you or if a previous cortisone injection was ineffective, your doctor might suggest hyaluronic acid injections for knee pain (they’re usually only used for the knee). If it works, it can provide pain relief for up to a year for some people.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. This type of shot is a relatively new procedure. You would give some of your own blood which is processed in a lab and then injected back into you. It seems to work fairly well for early arthritis.

Surgery

If self-care, medications, therapy, and injections don’t work, your doctor might recommend surgery. There are a few options, depending on how bad the pain is and how much damage is happening to your joint.

Arthroscopy. This is a minimally invasive surgery. The surgeon makes three tiny incisions and uses long-handled tools and a camera to see inside the joint to make repairs or remove damage.

Joint fusion. This treatment option, most often done on your hands, ankles, or spine, allows the surgeon to attach the ends of your bones together using plates, screws, or rods. This means there is no longer a joint in that spot.

Osteotomy. It is a surgical procedure where the surgeon reshapes the arm or leg bones so they put less pressure on your joint.

Joint replacements. With joint replacement, your joint is either partially or completely removed and is replaced with an artificial joint.

What happens when a cortisone shot hits a nerve?

Although it’s not common, it is possible to hit a nerve when injecting cortisone. When this does happen, it can cause pain, change in sensation around the area, weakness of the limb, and muscle atrophy (wasting).

Getting a cortisone shot is usually quite safe, but there are some possible complications so you should know when to call your doctor. This includes if you:

  • Have intense pain after the shot
  • Develop a fever
  • Have a swelling that gets worse instead of better

You should also speak to your doctor if you don’t feel any pain relief from the shot after at least 10 days.

Cortisone shots are a common treatment for some painful conditions, such as bursitis and joint injuries. But there are some possible side effects and long-term problems that could occur if you need several injections, which may include infection, thinning of the skin, or tendon or nerve damage. While these shots can help reduce or get rid of your pain, they don’t address the root cause. The effect can last as long as several months, but then the pain may return.

How long does a cortisone shot last?

It can take up to a week before you feel the pain go away, and the effect can last up to several months before it wears off.

Are cortisone shots bad for you?

Cortisone shots aren’t bad for you, but you should only get them from time to time because there can be serious side effects.

What is the downside to a cortisone shot?

The downside to a cortisone shot is that while it might help relieve the pain, it doesn’t get rid of the problem that caused it.

Are cortisone injections very painful?

You will probably have a numbing cream or spray applied to the skin before your doctor inserts the needle. Most people say that the injections cause more pressure than pain.

What is the difference between a steroid shot and a cortisone shot?

Cortisone is a steroid, so there is no difference between the two.

What does a cortisone shot do to you?

A cortisone shot helps reduce the inflammation in the area that is causing pain. When the inflammation goes down, the pain should lessen as well.