Cortisone Injection questions

Do you need to rest after a steroid injection?

 
It would be best to rest the affected area for 24 hours and avoid any strenuous activities.
 

What is a cortisone injection? / What does a cortisone injection do?

 
Cortisone injection is an intra-articular injection. Used to treat swelling, inflammation, and pain. This is a powerful anti-inflammatory. It breaks the cycle of pain and joint inflammation.
 

How long does a cortisone injection last?

This is difficult to determine without an assessment. It may be possible to estimate after assessing the patient. Usually, lasts up to 3 months. There are many patients who benefit from 1 cortisone injection for more than a year to 2 years.
 

Can I walk after a cortisone injection in my foot?

 
After a steroid injection, you can return to most daily activities, including walking. The treating clinician may suggest against walking a distance/many steps. You should have no issues with walking out of the clinic upon completion of the injection.
 
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Most people have steroid injections without any side effects but there are some to be aware of. These include flare-ups of pain within the joint treated. Change of skin thickness, skin discoloration at the injection site, and tendon rupture. If cortisones are administered often and in high doses, it can influence and damage joint cartilage and tendons.
 

Can you drive after cortisone injection?

 
You will not be able to drive immediately after the procedure. Bring someone with you or use another form of transport to return home. This is due to your driving license policy, rather than injection efficacy. Some of the motor insurance policies will not allow you to drive for 3-5 hours after the injection due to the local anaesthetic used.
 
 
Discomfort from the needle insertion is small, like a sharp scratch. By also using the local anaesthetic, it helps to reduce the pain. We have treated complex patients and patients with needle phobia. The pain is manageable and the treating clinician will always double-check on patient comfort.
 
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How do cortisone injections work?

 
The injection releases the cortisone slowly. Directly into the part of your body that is painful or inflamed. Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory that works by preventing collagen production. The injection shuts down the collagen-producing cells in the tendon or joint leading to decreased pain.
 

How long does a cortisone injection take to work?

 
Generally, the cortisone injections take a few days to start working. The most noticeable benefit is usually 2-4 weeks following the injection. During this time, it is worth starting some rehabilitation. Physiotherapy will help strengthen the affected area. Some people leave the clinic noticing a difference straight away. This is usually the local anaesthetic which wears off within a few hours.
 

Are cortisone injections in the hip painful?

 
Discomfort from the needle insertion is small, like a sharp scratch. By also using the local anaesthetic, helps to reduce the pain. We have treated complex patients and patients with needle phobia. The pain is manageable and the treating clinician will always double-check on patient comfort.
 

How to inject steroids?

 
The treating clinician will clean your skin with an antiseptic wipe or spray. If the joint is puffy with fluid, they may use a needle and syringe to drain the excess fluid. Corticosteroid injections are then administered through syringe and needle. The needle is directed into the affected area under ultrasound guidance. The substance is then injected, and the injection site is covered with a plaster.
 

Where to inject steroids?

 
 

How many steroid injections can you have for tennis elbow?

 
Typically, you can receive up to 3 injections, 3 to 6 months between injections advised. Following the first injection, it is also important to work on rehabilitation exercises. This is to strengthen the wrist, elbow, and shoulder.
 

Can GP’s give steroid injections?

 
Some GP practices carry out cortisone steroid injections. In recent times GP’s are reluctant to complete these procedures. They would refer to specialists
 
We advise rest for between 24 and 48 hours after injection in the joint.  For tendon injections, we advise a longer rest period.  This can be anywhere between 2 and 3 weeks.
 

Do steroid injections help arthritis?

 
Arthritis can cause inflammation and pain within the affected joint. The main role of a cortisone steroid injection is to reduce this inflammation. In time this would also decrease the pain. Hyaluronic Injections are another treatment option for arthritis.
 

What is hydrodistension?

 
This is a procedure used for Frozen Shoulder. This is done under ultrasound guidance. The aim of depositing anti-inflammatory steroids, local anaesthetic, and saline to give pain relief. Also stretching the lining of the joint, the “joint capsule”.
 
This procedure has been shown to be effective in most patients. Giving pain relief and helping them regain movement. These injections can give a rapid and effective reduction in pain and inflammation. Improvements are usually temporary, and rehabilitation is advised 3-4 days following this procedure.
 

What is barbotage therapy?

 
This technique is used for patients who have calcific tendonitis of the rotator cuff. Under direct ultrasound guidance, areas of calcification are identified and aspirated/withdrawn. Some local anaesthetic is injected around the area. This is to ensure comfort for the patient as it can generally be painful. In most cases, there is a 60-70% chance of significant or complete improvement in symptoms. Allowing the patient to return to normal activities.