Cortisone injectionsare commonly used to treat a variety of orthopedic conditions. People with diabetes are especially prone to side effects from cortisone injections, often experiencing a temporary rise in blood sugars in the following hours or days.That can be alarming if you’re not expecting it.
Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication that can be injected around tendons or joints where inflammation is present. Cortisone injections are often used in the treatment of conditions includingtendonitis,bursitis, andarthritis.
Several common, and many uncommon, side effects can occur after a cortisone shot,and before having this treatment you should discuss these possible complications with your healthcare provider.
While most cortisone side-effects are mild and temporary, it is worthwhile to discuss these possible problems so that you know what to expect after your injection.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Diabetes and Cortisone
A 2015 study investigated the use of cortisone injections in people with diabetes having injections for hand problems (such astrigger fingerandcarpal tunnel syndrome).The participants were then surveyed daily until their symptoms resolved.
The study found:
This was a relatively small study (25 patients), only included people who had injections into their hands, and only studied the effects of a single brand of cortisone. However, it provides some data on a subject that’s well known but not well documented in medical literature.
The study recommends avoiding cortisone injections if your HbA1c is greater than 7%. If the benefits of cortisone outweigh the risks, changes in diet and diabetes medication doses may help minimize the risk.
Benefits vs Risks
Any treatment should be considered based on weighing the risks and the benefits of the treatment. In the case of cortisone injections, there are known side-effects that should be considered, but there are also potential benefits.
People with diabetes should be aware of the possible rise in blood sugar. Furthermore, more poorly controlled diabetics may want to avoid cortisone injections until alternative treatments have been exhausted.
You should discuss with your healthcare provider how high they might expect your blood sugar to rise so you know if there is a problem that requires more urgent evaluation.
Side Effects of Injected and Oral Steroids
Managing Increases
The good news is that elevations in blood sugar tend to be transient and usually resolve spontaneously after a few days. The peak elevation tends to occur anywhere from 5 to 84 hours after the injection.
If you self-administer insulin, you may need to:
While the majority of people who have elevated blood sugar following cortisone injections won’t have serious repercussions, some cases may require more aggressive treatment.
Any time you have symptoms ofrapidly elevating blood glucose, get immediate medical attention.
A Word From Verywell
If you’re diagnosed with diabetes and receiving a cortisone injection, be aware of the potential for elevated blood sugars. Talk to your healthcare provider about the best way to manage this, as you may need to adjust your insulin dosage.
Remember these temporary elevations tend to resolve without treatment, but seek treatment if your blood sugars appear to be behaving in an extreme or unexpected manner.
Frequently Asked QuestionsYes. Cortisone is a steroid used to treat inflammation from tendonitis, bursitis, and arthritis. One of its side effects is a temporary rise in blood sugar.People with diabetes can experience higher than normal blood sugar levels for up to five days following a cortisone injection.If you experience high blood sugar after a cortisone injection, talk to your endocrinologist about the best way to lower it. If you take insulin, you may need to increase your dose and monitor your blood sugar more closely for a few days.Exercise can also help to counteract the steroid and lower your blood sugar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Cortisone is a steroid used to treat inflammation from tendonitis, bursitis, and arthritis. One of its side effects is a temporary rise in blood sugar.
People with diabetes can experience higher than normal blood sugar levels for up to five days following a cortisone injection.
If you experience high blood sugar after a cortisone injection, talk to your endocrinologist about the best way to lower it. If you take insulin, you may need to increase your dose and monitor your blood sugar more closely for a few days.Exercise can also help to counteract the steroid and lower your blood sugar.
If you experience high blood sugar after a cortisone injection, talk to your endocrinologist about the best way to lower it. If you take insulin, you may need to increase your dose and monitor your blood sugar more closely for a few days.
Exercise can also help to counteract the steroid and lower your blood sugar.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Brinks A, Koes BW, Volkers AC, Verhaar JA, Bierma-Zeinstra SM.Adverse effects of extra-articular corticosteroid injections: a systematic review.BMC Musculoskelet Disord.2010;11:206. doi:10.1186/1471-2474-11-206
Kim N, Schroeder J, Hoffler CE, Matzon JL, Lutsky KF, Beredjiklian PK.Elevated Hemoglobin A1C Levels Correlate with Blood Glucose Elevation in Diabetic Patients following Local Corticosteroid Injection in the Hand: A Prospective Study.Plast Reconstr Surg. 2015;136(4):474e-9e. doi:10.1097/PRS.0000000000001624
Waterbrook AL, Balcik BJ, Goshinska AJ.Blood Glucose Levels After Local Musculoskeletal Steroid Injections in Patients With Diabetes Mellitus: A Clinical Review.Sports Health.2017;9(4):372-374. doi:10.1177/1941738117702585
Leahy M.Local Corticosteroid Injections Have Systemic Effects in Patients with Diabetes. AAOSNow. Updated November 2014.
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