Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Steroid Shots WorkHow They’re GivenQuick ReliefSide Effects
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Steroid Shots Work
How They’re Given
Quick Relief
Side Effects
Injections with steroids such as cortisone usually provide quick results, easing pain, swelling, and inflammation shortly after being administered. However, in some instances, it can take days or weeks for a person to feel relief.
The effectiveness of steroid shots also depends on what they are being used for. These injections often treat orthopedic conditions such asarthritisandtendonitis.
This article explains how steroid shots work and discusses how long it takes for a steroid shot to work.
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Should You Get Steroid Shots?
A steroid shot starts to work immediately. Inflammation usually improves within a few days. Pain relief can take a few days to a few weeks, depending on how long it takes for the inflammation to settle. Most people who have had a shot say the pain gets better quickly.
The amount of inflammation, the type of injection, and other factors can all affect how long it will take for you to feel relief after getting a steroid shot.
If your inflammation is severe, or if it’s been around a long time (chronic), the shot may take longer to work. In some cases, you may need more than one dose to feel better.
Treatments likecortisone shotsare effective for many common inflammatory conditions, but they don’t help every person.
If your shot has not worked after a few weeks, let your healthcare provider know. They can talk to you about other treatment options.
1:10Click Play to Learn What to Do If a Cortisone Shot Doesn’t Work
1:10
Click Play to Learn What to Do If a Cortisone Shot Doesn’t Work
How Is a Steroid Given?
Different types of steroids vary in terms of strength, how long they last, and delivery method.
A steroid like cortisone is often mixed with numbing medication (local anesthetic). The anesthetic can help relieve pain. It also makes getting the shot itself a little less uncomfortable.
After the injection, the needle is taken out and a Band-Aid is placed over the site. You might have a little bit of bleeding. If you’re taking ablood thinning medication, you may have a little more bleeding at the injection site.
How Intramuscular Injections Are Given
Why Some Steroid Shots Work Quickly
Steroids typically take a few days or longer to begin to take effect. Even so, many people report almost immediate relief after an injection.
Pain relief is faster for some people for a couple of reasons. The most common reason is that the provider mixed an anesthetic medication (such as lidocaine or marcaine) with a steroid.
The other reason why some people feel better faster is that sometimes, a provider alsoremoves fluid from a swollen joint. For example, many patients with a swollen knee have the fluid drained from the joint just before they get a steroid shot. This can bring a lot of pain relief.
When to Call Your ProviderIf you’re not feeling better or are feeling worse after a steroid shot, check with your provider. In some cases, this is temporary. However, it’s also possible that the treatment isn’t the right fit for you. Your provider can assess and figure out what the next steps in your treatment plan should be.
When to Call Your Provider
If you’re not feeling better or are feeling worse after a steroid shot, check with your provider. In some cases, this is temporary. However, it’s also possible that the treatment isn’t the right fit for you. Your provider can assess and figure out what the next steps in your treatment plan should be.
Side Effects of Steroid Shots
Otherside effects of cortisone shotsare possible but uncommon. These could include:
What Is a Cortisone Flare?
Summary
Steroid shots reduce inflammation, a common cause of joint and tendon pain. For many people, relief comes right after the shot is given. However, the length of time for pain relief varies and can take days or weeks.
If your provider mixes a local numbing agent with the steroid, you may feel relief immediately. Relief may also be quicker if your provider drains fluid from your joints. However, your pain could temporarily get worse if you have a reaction called a steroid flare. In this case, rest and ice on the spot where you had the injection can help.
Most people find steroid injections helpful for treating orthopedic conditions, but they don’t work for everyone. If you’re not finding the injections helpful, let your provider know.
Can You Get Cortisone Shots If You Have Diabetes?
1 SourceVerywell 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.Fawi HMT, Hossain M, Matthews TJW.The incidence of flare reaction and short-term outcome following steroid injection in the shoulder.Shoulder Elbow. 2017;9(3):188-194. doi:10.1177/1758573217693808
1 Source
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.Fawi HMT, Hossain M, Matthews TJW.The incidence of flare reaction and short-term outcome following steroid injection in the shoulder.Shoulder Elbow. 2017;9(3):188-194. doi:10.1177/1758573217693808
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.
Fawi HMT, Hossain M, Matthews TJW.The incidence of flare reaction and short-term outcome following steroid injection in the shoulder.Shoulder Elbow. 2017;9(3):188-194. doi:10.1177/1758573217693808
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