You have received an injection of cortisone, which is a synthetic steroid. Cortisone can greatly reduce inflammation, swelling and pain. A local injection with cortisone is less complicated than surgery and often times provides lasting pain relief. Sometimes it takes more than one cortisone injection to be effective.

Cortisone is unlike the steroids that some athletes take to increase their muscle size or to gain weight because it is injected locally and very little of it goes beyond that region.

Complications from steroid injections are uncommon. But like all medications being injected with cortisone has certain risks and possible complications. If you have diabetes, steroid injections may cause a temporary increase in your blood sugar levels. Cortisone injections may cause skin pigmentation changes (usually decreased pigmentation), subcutaneous fat atrophy. Tendon rupture and nerve injury are very rare complications following cortisone injections.

Allergic reactions and infections following cortisone injections are very rare. If you have symptoms of an allergic reaction following a cortisone injection such as trouble breathing, wheezing, tightness in your chest, swelling on your face, skin rash or itching; or if you have symptoms of an infection such as severe swelling, pain, redness or fever, you should contact my office immediately to arrange for treatment.

It is not uncommon to have increased pain in the area for a few days following a cortisone injection and it may take a few weeks for you to feel the full effect of the injection.

If you have any questions, contact my office at 314-336-2555.