What Are the Benefits of Cortisone Injections?

Nicholas Anastasio, M.D., a physician specializing in physical medicine and rehabilitation with Orthopedics and Joint Replacement at Mercy, and Mark A. Slabaugh, M.D., an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon with Sports Medicine at Mercy, recently addressed the question from Total Shape magazine, "What are the benefits of cortisone injections?"

"Cortisone injections are a commonly used anti-inflammatory treatment. When joints, tendons, or bursa are inflamed, the first line treatments are anti-inflammatory medications (ex. Ibuprofen). However, sometimes these medications are ineffective or have systemic side effects. This includes stomach irritation, kidney damage, or interaction with other medications. Injections are useful because there is less systemic effects and the injection allows us to deliver a more potent dose of the medication directly to the problem area. Cortisone injections are also useful because they take effect very quickly, within a few days. When taking anti-inflammatory medications, it can sometimes take a week or two before pain improves. Patients often ask whether injections are "just a band-aid" for the problem. If used in the appropriate scenarios (ex. Acute inflammation) the injection can cure the issue. Even in chronic scenarios, injections are very useful for diagnostic purposes. Sometimes symptoms are difficult to localize based on the exam and imaging. In these cases, injections can be used to confirm, or rule out, the source of the symptoms. In other words, if a specific site (ex. the knee) is injected and the pain improves, we know the pain is coming from that area and not radiating from somewhere else. If the injection does not work, it at least rules out that area so that we can move on to other potential diagnoses." - Dr. Nicholas Anastasio

"For patients with moderate osteoarthritis, the benefits of cortisone injections are profound. The cortisone injections help to decrease the inflammation in a very localized area. Since joints are self-contained with a lining, the injections have a very potent effect on the contents of the joint. They not only decrease inflammation but act as a very strong pain reliever in this area giving patients three to nine months of pain relief." - Dr. Mark Slabaugh

Dr. Anastasio is board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. He diagnoses and treats patients with orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions affecting the muscles, bones and joints, as well as nerve-related conditions.

Dr. Slabaugh is board certified in Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic Sports Medicine. He specializes in arthroscopic repair of sports-related injuries and complex knee and shoulder reconstructions, including ACL/MCL tears, shoulder instability and rotator cuff tears.

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