If you’ve ever dealt with joint pain—whether from arthritis, a sports injury, or years of wear and tear—there’s a good chance someone’s recommended a cortisone shot. These steroid injections are often viewed as a quick fix, offering fast relief that can feel like a miracle in the moment. But when the numbness fades and the pain starts creeping back, many patients are left wondering: Are cortisone shots actually bad for you in the long run?
It’s a valid question—and one more people are asking, especially as we learn more about the long-term effects of repeated steroid use. While cortisone injections can provide short-term relief by reducing inflammation in the joints, they don’t address the root cause of the pain. Worse, overuse of these shots may lead to side effects like cartilage breakdown, joint instability, and even worsening of the very condition they were meant to treat.
Cortisone shots—also known as corticosteroid injections—are a common treatment used to reduce inflammation and relieve pain in joints, tendons, and soft tissues. These injections contain a synthetic version of cortisol, a hormone naturally produced by your adrenal glands that helps manage the body’s stress and inflammatory responses.
When injected directly into a painful area, cortisone works by calming the immune system’s reaction, reducing swelling and inflammation almost immediately. This can bring fast and often dramatic relief, especially for those suffering from conditions like:
Because of their ability to relieve pain quickly, cortisone shots are often used when other conservative measures—like rest, physical therapy, or over-the-counter anti-inflammatories—aren’t working.
But while the short-term relief can feel like a lifesaver, it’s important to understand that cortisone isn’t a cure. It doesn't heal the underlying issue—it simply mutes the symptoms. And repeated use can come at a cost. Over time, these injections can weaken tendons, erode cartilage, and lead to joint degeneration, especially if administered too frequently.
One of the biggest advantages of cortisone injections is the rapid relief they often provide. For many patients struggling with intense joint pain, a single injection can noticeably decrease discomfort within 24 to 48 hours. This quick response can feel like a lifeline—especially during flare-ups that interfere with work, sleep, or mobility.
Cortisone’s primary function is to reduce inflammation, which is often the root cause of joint pain and swelling. By calming down the body’s overactive immune response, it helps quiet the heat, stiffness, and discomfort that come with conditions like arthritis, bursitis, or tendonitis.
Cortisone shots are typically performed in-office, taking only a few minutes with minimal preparation or recovery time. There’s no need for anesthesia, and most people can resume light activities shortly afterward, making it an accessible option for many.
With reduced pain and swelling, many patients report greater ease of movement in the affected joint. This temporary window of relief can allow for improved participation in physical therapy, exercise, or daily tasks—helping patients stay active and maintain joint function.
Perhaps the most important thing to understand is that cortisone doesn’t fix the root cause of your pain. It works by suppressing inflammation, which can make you feel better temporarily, but it doesn’t heal damaged tissue or correct underlying biomechanical issues. The pain relief is real—but it’s only masking the problem.
Repeated cortisone injections in the same joint have been linked to cartilage breakdown and accelerated joint degeneration. Over time, this can actually worsen conditions like osteoarthritis, potentially increasing the likelihood of needing more invasive interventions like joint replacement surgery.
Cortisone is a powerful steroid, and with that power comes risk. Some known side effects include:
Even a single injection may cause temporary systemic effects, which is why these treatments are often limited to just a few times per year per joint.
Another common issue is that cortisone tends to become less effective over time. The first injection may offer significant relief, but subsequent injections often provide shorter-lasting or less noticeable benefits. This can leave patients chasing relief without lasting progress.
Perhaps one of the more subtle risks is that temporary pain relief from cortisone shots can give a false sense of resolution, leading patients to postpone more definitive, restorative care—like physical therapy, regenerative treatments, or lifestyle changes that promote true healing.
Movement is medicine, and one of the most powerful ways to reduce joint pain over time is by strengthening the surrounding muscles and improving mobility.
Through guided physical therapy, patients learn how to restore joint stability, increase range of motion, and reduce strain on affected areas. This helps correct movement imbalances that may have caused or worsened the issue in the first place.
At Medici, we also incorporate myofascial release, a hands-on technique that targets tension in the connective tissue (fascia) to relieve deep-seated pain and improve mobility. Combined with exercise-based rehab, this can be a game-changer for long-term function.
Unlike cortisone, which simply quiets inflammation, regenerative therapies work to repair and rebuild damaged tissues. These innovative treatments harness the body’s own healing mechanisms to promote true recovery:
For patients dealing with chronic joint or nerve-related pain that hasn’t responded to conventional treatments, advanced technologies like spinal cord stimulation offer a powerful, drug-free solution.
This therapy involves implanting a small device that delivers electrical impulses to the spinal cord, interrupting pain signals before they reach the brain. It’s especially effective for:
Not all injections are created equal. At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we offer non-steroidal injection therapies that can provide pain relief without the side effects of cortisone.
Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy is a powerful yet gentle tool for healing. In a pressurized chamber, patients breathe in 100% pure oxygen, which helps increase the oxygen concentration in the bloodstream and surrounding tissues.
This enhanced oxygen delivery can:
While it may seem simple, long-term joint health often begins with daily habits. Small, sustainable changes in your lifestyle can have a big impact on pain and inflammation.
Cortisone injections can certainly play a role in short-term pain management. For some patients, they offer meaningful relief during acute flare-ups or while preparing for physical therapy. But they are not the only option—and for many, they’re not the best one in the long run.
At Medici Orthopaedics & Spine, we’ve seen time and again that lasting relief is possible—without relying on repeated steroid shots or masking symptoms. By focusing on restorative, non-invasive therapies, we help patients move beyond temporary fixes and toward real healing.
You deserve more than a band-aid for your pain. You deserve a plan that actually restores your quality of life.
It’s time to stop masking the pain and start healing from the inside out.
If you're searching for an effective, lasting alternative to cortisone shots for joint pain, Medici Orthopaedics & Spine is here to help.
Our compassionate team will partner with you to design a personalized treatment plan using the least invasive, least drug-dependent methods available today—focused on real recovery, not just relief.
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📞 Call today at +1-844-328-4624 or
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