Weighing the benefits and risks
Cortisone injectionscan be bad for you if overused.
When this treatment is used appropriately, however, the risk of these side effects is low.
How Cortisone Works
Cortisone is a key in ofcorticosteroid(steroid) drug used to treatinflammation.
Verywell / Brianna Gilmartin
It treats inflammation by suppressing theimmune systemas a whole, reducing redness, pain, swelling, and warmth.
In part, this is because of how they can impact the immune response.
There are pros and cons of these shots, each of which must be weighed on a case-by-case basis.
Cortisone shots are also sometimes used to delay the need for joint replacement surgery.
Benefits of Cortisone Injections
Cortisone injections can be an excellent treatment for many inflammatory conditions.
Sometimes even one small dose can eliminate the inflammation at the site of the problem and alleviate pain.
Cortisone is easy to administer, and the side effects tend to be minimal.
This is especially true for cortisone injections around the Achilles tendon.
Therupture of the Achilles tendoncan require surgery and cause you to be laid up for months at a time.
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2014;5(3):35161. doi:10.5312/wjo.v5.i3.351
