Specialized Pain Management Care in Colorado Springs

Cortisone Injection

Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group

Orthopedic and musculoskeletal pain can affect far more than a specific part of your body. Persistent pain may interfere with movement, sleep, work, exercise, and your ability to enjoy everyday life.

CSOG offers comprehensive pain management as part of an overall approach to treating orthopedic and musculoskeletal conditions. Our specialists work to identify the source of your pain and determine which treatments may provide meaningful relief while helping you maintain or improve function.

Depending on your condition, treatment may include medications, physical therapy, injections, and other nonsurgical approaches. Your treatment plan is individualized based on your symptoms, diagnosis, medical needs, and goals, with the aim of helping you manage pain and return to a more active life.

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What is Cortisone?

Cortisone is a corticosteroid released by the adrenal gland in response to stress and is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. A synthetic form of cortisone is used as medication and is usually administered as injections.

Indications for Cortisone Injections

Cortisone injections are generally considered only when other conservative measures such as medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes haven’t provided sufficient relief. They may be used to treat a variety of conditions characterized by inflammation and pain. Some of the most common conditions treated with cortisone injections include:

• Tendonitis: Inflammation of tendons, the fibrous tissues connecting muscles to bones, can be painful and limit movement. Cortisone injections can help decrease the inflammation and relieve pain associated with tendonitis.
• Bursitis: Inflammation of the bursae, the fluid-filled sacs that cushion bones, muscles, and skin, can cause pain and discomfort. Cortisone injections can reduce this inflammation and provide relief.
• Osteoarthritis: This condition involves the degeneration of joint cartilage and the underlying bone, leading to pain and inflammation. Cortisone injections can help reduce the inflammation and provide pain relief.
• Lower Back Pain: Conditions such as spinal stenosis or ruptured discs can cause significant lower back pain. Cortisone injections can reduce inflammation around the spinal nerves and alleviate pain.
• Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: This condition occurs when the median nerve in the wrist becomes compressed or pinched. Cortisone injections can help reduce swelling and relieve pressure on the nerve, easing symptoms.

Cortisone Injection Procedure

Cortisone is injected directly into the affected joint or tissue to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. It takes about 2 to 3 days for it to take effect. The effects of cortisone injections may last for several weeks.

Risks and Complications of Cortisone Injections

Cortisone injections offer significant relief in pain and inflammation; however, they may be associated with certain adverse effects. The most common side effect is a cortisone flare, a condition where cortisone crystallizes and causes severe pain for a brief period that lasts for a day or two. A cortisone flare can be minimized by applying ice to the injected area. Other adverse effects include whitening of the skin and infection at the injection site, or a transient elevation in blood sugar if you are diabetic.