Localized Treatment with Cortisone injections

Cortisone is a hormone which, like adrenaline, is produced by the adrenal glands once the body experiences stress.

Cortisone performs several functions, including maintaining steady blood pressure, but one of the vital roles played by cortisone is the ability to decrease inflammation through suppression of the immune system. Also, by suppressing the immune system, this can help control certain conditions which your immune system mistakenly attacks its own tissues.

Due to this ability, cortisone is used in the treatment of arthritis, painful foot-ankle conditions such as ankle sprain, ankle pain, ankle fractures, ankle arthritis, foot fractures, foot arthritis, rotator cuff tendinitis, plantar fasciitis and other injuries related to tendons and ligaments.

When used in the human body as medicine, synthetic cortisone can come in several diverse modes, but the primary form is an injection either locally or systemically. A cortisone injection is administered for the treatment of a variety of conditions. Some of the more commonly known conditions among these include lupus, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, and frozen shoulder.

Localized cortisone injections are given to a patient to help ease the pain or relieve the inflammation in a part of the body. Cortisone shots consist of two parts: a corticosteroid medicine and a local anesthetic. The former deals with the treatment of the actual illness or inflammation, while the latter serves to lessen the pain involved.

Cortisone injections are not only pain-relievers but also have anti-inflammatory medications. Cortisone injections typically contain a corticosteroid medication as well as a local anesthetic. Most shots are administered right in the doctor’s office by using a sterile procedure, which uses local anesthesia. The doctor also employs the help of ultrasound machines to guarantee precision during the procedure. Cortisone is then injected directly into the affected area near the nerves.

RECOVERING FROM A CORTISONE INJECTION

After receiving your cortisone injection, your doctor may advise you to do the following:

  • Rub on ice packs to the injection site to relieve soreness and inflammation.
  • Rest well to give the joint plenty of time to heal.
  • Not to apply pressure on the joint and avoid lifting heavy weights as this might over-exert the joint.
  • Consult with your doctor immediately if you experience pain, redness, swelling, or an infection that lasts for more than 48hrs.

BENEFITS OF A CORTISONE INJECTION

Pain relief
It makes life more tolerable by decreasing pain for what may be quite a few months, thus enabling you to live your life as normally as possible.

Lower risk
Compared to surgery, an injection maintains a much lower risk profile as it’s a minimally invasive procedure.

Lower cost
Compared to surgery, an injection costs exponentially less.

No need for in-patient admission
The injections are either done in the doctor’s office or as an outpatient procedure. No overnight stay is necessary.

  • It can delay the need for surgery for months on end.
  • It can be placed in multiple joints

If a patient has pain and arthritis in multiple joints such as knees, feet, or ankles, these injections may be placed in a few joints providing relief from multiple pains.

In addition to the cortisone, being mindful and proactive towards your injury can help the injury from reoccurring in the future. For instance, for some injuries, this could mean creating a new stretching/strengthening routine.