CORTISONE INJECTIONS

If you’ve been battling pain and inflammation or redness in your limbs or joints you’re probably anxious for answers. Is it arthritis? And what kind: rheumatoid, reactive, or psoriatic? Could it be chronic bursitis, tendinitis, or gout that’s disrupting your daily routine? Either way, cortisone injections may reduce or relieve your pain and improve your quality of life.

Cortisone can be injected into various body parts, including your knees, hips, shoulders, wrists, and ankles. Because she specializes in regenerative medicine, Dr. Truong can treat your symptoms without surgery or a hospital stay. She can perform this minimally invasive procedure in her office. Our team at Truong Rehabilitation Center prides itself on providing “integrated treatment under one roof”. We don’t treat your symptoms – we treat all of you.

Arthritis and joint pain doesn’t have to control your life. Cortisone injections may help you find the pain relief and freedom of movement you’re seeking. To speak with a member of Dr. Truong’s multi-disciplinary team contact us here.

Frequently Asked Questions about Cortisone Shots

Hyaluronic acid joint injections can help relieve your pain if your knee condition has not responded positively to treatments like physical therapy, steroid injections, and pain medications. You may be a good candidate for these injections if you’re experiencing:

What are cortisone injections?

Cortisone is not a painkiller, it’s a type of corticosteroid used to reduce or eliminate inflammation caused by a number of conditions related to bursitis, tendinitis, and skin inflammation. Though it is a synthetic product, cortisone mimics the body’s own hormone reactor to stress. By suppressing the immune system cortisone causes inflammation to subside.

What conditions do cortisone injections treat?

Cortisone injections are commonly used to treat:

  • Arthritis: rheumatoid, reactive, and psoriatic inflammation of joints

  • Bursitis: inflammation of the hip, knee, elbow, or shoulder

  • Certain skin disorders, like alopecia

  • Knee osteoarthritis

  • Plantar fasciitis

  • Tendinitis: soft-tissue inflammation of tendons, like tennis elbow or rotator cuff tendinitis

Another form of treatment is cortisone injection into the lower back (lumbar epidural). Dr. Truong delivers injections under x-ray guidance for precision targeting. This type of treatment helps relieve back pain and sciatica or may be used to treat upper back and neck pain.

Who can benefit from cortisone injections?

Anyone suffering from chronic pain related to joint, shoulder, neck, back, knee, or hip pain may benefit from cortisone injections. Dr. Truong may be able to help reduce or relieve pain associated with age-related disorders, athletic injuries, and chronic pain conditions.

How are cortisone injections given?

The most common treatment forms include:

SOFT TISSUE

Dr. Truong will sterilize your skin prior to the injection. A local anesthetic such as lidocaine may be inserted into the syringe along with the cortisone to help prevent pain. In other cases, Dr. Truong may spray your skin with a local anesthetic. The injection is administered and the injection site is covered with a sterile bandage.

JOINT

This injection type is similar to a soft tissue injection, but Dr. Truong may first remove any fluid from the joint with a syringe. The fluid can then help her analyze, diagnose, and dispose of fluid buildup, enabling more effective pain relief.

Once the fluid is removed, Dr. Truong will inject the cortisone with ultrasound guidance for greater accuracy. In nearly all cases, recovery time after cortisone injection is short and pain is mild. You should always rest after injections, and avoid excessive movement or exercise to help inflammation decrease.

What are the benefits of cortisone shots?

The many benefits include:

  • Administered in your doctor’s office, without invasive surgery or hospital stay

  • Eliminates side effects of oral anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin

  • High success rate with minimal side effects

  • Joint fluid removal reduces or relieves pain and allows diagnosis of your condition

  • Works faster and more effectively than traditional anti-inflammatory drugs

How long do cortisone injections provide pain relief?

Some patients experience pain relief immediately after getting the injection. Others don’t feel complete relief until up to a week later. Results and time tables vary, as with any treatment.

Some conditions may only require one injection. More serious conditions recur after weeks or months. While there’s no limit to the number of injections you can receive, the shot’s pain relief may decrease with repeated use. Also, the risk of side effects rises with the amount of shots you get. Discuss your condition with your doctor to determine the best treatment.

What are possible side effects of cortisone shots?

Side effects are generally mild or rare:

  • Allergic aggravation of inflamed area

  • Bleeding and soreness at injection site

  • Infection at injection site

  • Skin shrinkage and discoloration at the injection side

Rare side effects may include:

  • Dizziness

  • Facial flushing

  • Increased pain due to allergic reaction

  • Insomnia

  • Sweating

  • Tendon weakening or rupture

Cortisone injection is most commonly a short-term medical treatment. Long-term use may result in a number of further side effects, including:

  • Acne

  • Cataracts

  • Face puffiness

  • High blood pressure

  • Osteoporosis (thinning bones)

  • Serious damage to bones of the large joints

  • Skin thinning

  • Weight gain

Book Your Appointment Today

Arthritis, bursitis, hip, knee, or other chronic pain can severely impact your health and your ability to live a rich, fulfilling life. Cortisone injections can be an easy, minimally invasive procedure that may help reduce or eliminate your chronic pain. To speak with a specialist, call Truong Rehabilitation today at contact us here.

Our Location

4604 Spotsylvania Parkway
Suite 303
Fredericksburg, VA 22408

Phone: (540) 374-3164
Fax: (540) 899-1342

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER

Join thousands of men on their journey to achieving sexual performance mastery.

Online Patient Portal

Manage your health from the comfort of your home

Get a free copy of my brand new ebook erectile dysfunction:
The five common mistakes men make when facing erectile dysfunction