Orthopedics Medication & Injections Are Cortisone Injections Bad for You? By Jonathan Cluett, MD Jonathan Cluett, MD LinkedIn Twitter Jonathan Cluett, MD, is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with subspecialty training in sports medicine and arthroscopic surgery. Learn about our editorial process Updated on January 28, 2022 Medically reviewed Verywell Health articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and healthcare professionals. These medical reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Yaw Boachie-Adjei, MD Medically reviewed by Yaw Boachie-Adjei, MD LinkedIn Yaw Boachie-Adjei, MD, is a board-certified, double-fellowship Orthopedic Surgeon. Learn about our Medical Expert Board Print Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Uses Pros Cons Where It Stands Cortisone injections are among the most commonly used treatments in orthopedics. Cortisone is a powerful anti-inflammatory medication that reduces the inflammatory response of many painful conditions. Cortisone is effective for different types of arthritis, tendonitis, and bursitis, among other conditions. Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin Uses Cortisone can be used for a variety of orthopedic and rheumatological problems. The medication works by decreasing inflammation. Anti-inflammatory medications can be taken orally, but doing so distributes the medication in very small doses throughout the entire body. A cortisone injection, on the other hand, places a large, powerful dose directly at the location of the inflammation. Therefore, the medication acts very powerfully against the problem. Furthermore, systemic side effects of a local cortisone injection are uncommon. Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory medication, not a painkiller. However, because it reduces inflammation, pain often subsides. Because of the strong, quick effects of cortisone injections, they are often recommended for a variety of orthopedic problems. Among the most frequently treated conditions using cortisone injections are: Shoulder bursitis/rotator cuff tendonitis Knee arthritis Tennis elbow Trigger finger Cortisone injections are also often used in lumbar and cervical spine problems. In these situations, patients may receive an epidural cortisone injection. Pros Cortisone injections can be an excellent treatment in many conditions that cause inflammation, but they aren't without potential problems. Sometimes even one small dose of cortisone can effectively eliminate the inflammation at the site of the problem and alleviate the pain. Cortisone is easy to administer, and the side effects are minimal. Cortisone is a substance naturally produced by the body, and while the dose being administered is much more than your body would normally produce, the substance is well tolerated by most people. The benefits of cortisone include: Cortisone is a naturally occurring substanceCortisone injections can be done with minimal discomfortCortisone injections have few side effects Cons As mentioned, cortisone injections administer a high concentration of a substance that is normally only found in small concentrations in your body. Laboratory studies have shown that high concentrations of cortisone or repetitive use of the medication can damage tissues in the body. This may lead to the softening of the cartilage in joints or weakening of the tendons. In addition, various types of corticosteroid products can cause different problems. Some are safer on tendons or near skin, while others are safer near joints. Some are also longer-acting, while some are shorter-acting. The primary concern that patients should be wary of is the use of cortisone in young, healthy joints and tendons.Mixing cortisone with a local anesthetic such as lidocaine should also be cause for concern. This mixture has been shown to destroy cartilage. In older patients with worn-out joints or damaged tendons, the concern is less significant, because the damage is already done. The use of cortisone in young, healthy joints, however, should be done with caution. Therefore, high school or college-age athletes are often advised to exhaust all treatment options before considering a cortisone injection, and then to limit the number of injections given. Certain tendons are also especially prone to rupture when treated with a cortisone injection. The most frequently encountered example is the use of cortisone around the Achilles tendon. Even when performed carefully, injections of cortisone around the Achilles can lead to traumatic rupture of the tendon. Where It Stands Cortisone injections are an excellent treatment for many conditions. In many patients with already damaged joints, such as patients with severe knee arthritis, it is unlikely the cortisone will contribute significantly to further joint damage. In these patients, an occasional cortisone injection may delay the need for joint replacement surgery. Caution should be used whenever considering a cortisone injection for individuals with healthy joints, such as young athletes. In these patients, other treatments should be attempted first, such as oral anti-inflammatory medications, ice and heat applications, and physical therapy. If these treatments fail to provide relief, the cortisone should be used sparingly and in limited doses. Extra caution needs to be taken if cortisone injections are used for Achilles tendonitis, plantar fasciitis, and several other specific scenarios that have been associated with significant problems. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Dealing with joint pain can cause major disruptions to your day. Sign up and learn how to better take care of your body. Click below and just hit send! Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit 6 Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to 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 Coombes BK, Bisset L, Vicenzino B. Efficacy and safety of corticosteroid injections and other injections for management of tendinopathy: a systematic review of randomised controlled trials. Lancet. 2010;376(9754):1751-67. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(10)61160-9 Yasir M, Sonthalia S. Corticosteroid Adverse Effects. StatPearls Publishing. Wernecke C, Braun HJ, Dragoo JL. The Effect of Intra-articular Corticosteroids on Articular Cartilage: A Systematic Review. Orthop J Sports Med. 2015;3(5):2325967115581163. doi:10.1177/2325967115581163 Piper SL, Kramer JD, Kim HT, Feeley BT. Effects of Local Anesthetics on Articular Cartilage. Am J Sports Med. 2011 Oct;39(10):2245-53. doi:10.1177/0363546511402780. Kim C, Cashdollar MR, Mendicino RW, Catanzariti AR, Fuge L. Incidence of plantar fascia ruptures following corticosteroid injection. Foot Ankle Spec. 2010;3(6):335-7. doi:10.1177/1938640010378530 Additional Reading Cole BJ and Schumacher HR "Injectable Corticosteroids in Modern Practice" J. Am. Acad. Ortho. Surg. Fadale PD and Wiggins ME "Corticosteroid Injections: Their Use and Abuse" J. Am. Acad. Ortho. Surg.