What is a cortisone injection?

• Cortisone is a type of steroidal anti-inflammatory drug
• It is commonly injected into areas of inflammation and pain, such as tendons and joint spaces

          How does cortisone help with pain?

• Cortisone works to reduce inflammation
• It works more quickly than other medications or strategies to manage inflammation
• Cortisone is typically not the first point of call for treatment because of the potential for adverse reactions

  Things to know before getting a Cortisone Injection

• Anaesthetic is injected with cortisone so patients typically feel better for 2 days after the injection, then return to the same pain or worse after the anaesthetic wears off.
• Cortisone can take up to 2 weeks to start working. In that 2 weeks, you need to avoid the painful activities, to ensure you don’t produce more inflammation.
• Cortisone does not work for everyone, and the rate at which our bodies metabolise the steroid differs.
• Cortisone should be used in conjunction with physiotherapy, not as an alternative
• MOST IMPORTANTLY, CORTISONE GIVES YOU A SMALL WINDOW IN WHICH TO FIX THE CAUSE OF THE INFLAMMATION.
  ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR GP AND PHYSIOTHERAPIST BEFORE CONSIDERING CORTISONE