Cortisone Injections

Reviewed by Greg Jaroszynski MD, FRCSC | Last updated May 2026

Corticosteroid, or cortisone, injections are used to reduce inflammation and provide short-term pain relief in selected orthopaedic conditions.

Common uses

Inflamed arthritic joints.
Subacromial bursitis or rotator cuff-related shoulder pain.
Trigger finger and selected tendon sheath inflammation.
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome or pes anserine bursitis.
AC joint or glenohumeral joint arthritis.

Expected benefit

Cortisone injections are best understood as symptom-relieving treatments. The effect may be meaningful but is usually temporary. They can be particularly useful when inflammation is a major contributor to pain.

Risks and cautions

Possible risks include a temporary pain flare, skin depigmentation, fat atrophy, bruising, infection, temporary blood sugar elevation in diabetic patients, and tendon weakening if steroid is injected into tendon tissue. Repeated injections into the same joint should be used thoughtfully.

Before surgery

Timing matters if future joint replacement or tendon surgery is being considered. Please make sure the treating surgeon knows about any recent injection.

Important: Injection treatment should be matched to the diagnosis, physical examination, imaging, health history, and goals. It is usually used to reduce symptoms and improve function, not to guarantee tissue regrowth or cure a structural problem.

More injection information

For a broader explanation of injection choices, evidence limits, safety issues, and references, review the main Injection Therapy section.

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