Targeted Inflammation Relief Near You
Ease Joint and Tendon Inflammation With Cortisone Injections
Pain from osteoarthritis and arthritis, tendinitis and bursitis, or a work related injury can make walking, lifting, and sleeping feel hard. Corticosteroid injections, often called cortisone shots, are a common way to calm the swelling behind that pain. A corticosteroid is a medicine that lowers inflammation. Each shot places it right where the trouble is.
At DiCesare Orthopedic Medicine in Greensburg, Dr. Jacob DiCesare offers corticosteroid injections as one part of a non-surgical plan. He completed a family practice residency at UPMC St. Margaret. He reviews your health history and goals before he recommends any injection. Plenty of people feel nervous about shots, so he listens to your concerns and takes the time to keep the visit calm and gentle.
If inflamed joints or tendons are holding you back, request an appointment online to talk through whether an injection fits. Our front desk can answer questions at (724) 261-4080, and same-day and same-week appointments are available.
Know What a Cortisone Shot Can and Can’t Do
How Corticosteroid Injections Work and What to Expect
Who May Be a Good Candidate for a Cortisone Shot
Cortisone shots tend to suit pain that comes from inflammation in one specific spot. That might be an arthritic joint, an irritated tendon, or a swollen bursa, which is a small fluid-filled cushion near a joint. They can fit well with osteoarthritis and arthritis, tendinitis and bursitis, and work related injuries.
The details listed here can change whether a shot makes sense or when to have one.
Tell us before your shot about:
- An infection or a recent fever
- Any past shots in the same joint
- What you’ve already tried, such as rest, ice, physical therapy, or pain relievers
What Happens During a Corticosteroid Injection Visit
Your visit starts with a conversation and an exam. We go over your symptoms, health history, past injuries, lifestyle, and goals to confirm that an injection fits. Tell us about any blood thinners, any supplements that thin the blood, and any fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or higher in the past two weeks. You may need to pause a blood thinner for a few days, but check with us before you change any medicine.
The skin is cleaned, and a numbing spray may be used. You’ll likely feel pressure as the medicine goes in. Ultrasound can help guide the needle to the right spot, and our team can use musculoskeletal ultrasound for this. That way, the medicine reaches the tissue that’s causing your pain. We’ll explain each step as it happens, and you can ask questions at any point. Afterward, we’ll review what to watch for.
Feeling nervous about a shot is common, and it’s okay to say so. Dr. DiCesare listens to your concerns and takes the time to put you at ease before he begins. Here’s how two patients described their visits.
“He is very good at talking with you when he comes in the room to see you and asking you how you are doing. I need cortisone injections in my knees and I can tell you he is the BEST at giving injections.”
“Everyone there was nice, never had that type of shot in my shoulder and they talked me right through it! Barely felt it.”
Recovery and Aftercare Following Your Shot
Protect the area for a day or two, and use ice instead of heat if it’s sore. Skip baths, hot tubs, and whirlpools for two days. Showers are fine. A short flare of pain, swelling, and irritation can happen for up to two days after a shot.
If you have a physically demanding job or sport, tell us so we can plan your activity around it. Let us know how your joint feels in the days and weeks that follow, so we can talk through next steps.
Call us if:
- Pain keeps rising
- The skin changes color
- Swelling lasts longer than 48 hours
Cost and Coverage Questions
Coverage for injections depends on your plan and the treatment. We accept most major insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid, and our team can talk through what to expect before your visit. What you pay depends on your plan, your deductible, and the details of your visit. For cost questions, call our front desk at (724) 261-4080, or review the plans we work with on our Insurance and Billing page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How soon will I feel relief after a cortisone shot?
Many people feel some relief soon after, because the shot usually includes a numbing medicine along with the steroid. The numbing effect fades, while the steroid is meant to give longer-lasting relief as swelling settles. Everyone responds a little differently, so we’ll talk through what to expect for your joint or tendon.
Are cortisone shots safe, and what side effects can happen?
Cortisone shots do carry some risk. The Mayo Clinic(opens in a new tab)(opens in a new tab) lists short-term effects such as facial flushing, higher blood sugar, and lighter skin at the injection site. Larger doses and frequent shots raise the chance of problems like cartilage damage, joint infection, nerve damage, or a weakened tendon. Because of that, providers generally limit how many shots go into one joint. The limit depends on the joint, your diagnosis, and your past injections, so we’ll review your history and plan a schedule that fits you. Tell us about any health conditions before your shot.
Do cortisone shots hurt, and what if I’m nervous about getting one?
A cortisone shot can be uncomfortable, and it’s normal to feel nervous about one. You’ll likely feel pressure as the medicine goes in, and the shot usually includes a numbing medicine along with the steroid. Tell us if you’re anxious. Dr. DiCesare listens to your concerns and takes the time to talk you through each step.
What if cortisone shots aren’t helping, or I’ve already had several?
Dr. Jacob DiCesare can talk through other non-surgical options. For knee arthritis, that may include viscosupplementation. Other options include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy or stem cell injections with Lipogems. The best next step depends on what’s causing your pain and what you’ve already tried.
How do I schedule a corticosteroid injection near me?
You can request an appointment online, and same-day and same-week appointments are available. Our front desk team can also help you find a time for an injection visit. We look forward to seeing you.
Schedule Your Corticosteroid Injection Visit
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