Do you experience inflamed joints that limit you from doing your favorite activities? Do you second guess before lifting something out of fear of a sharp pain? Has your Orthopedist or Primary Care Physician (PCP) recommended a Cortisone Injection? Cortisone shots offer an appealing option for pain relief and can provide fast relief. This article will go over what cortisone is, how cortisone works, and how you can make an informed decision about this treatment option.
What is Cortisone?
Cortisone is a synthetic version of cortisol (a steroid produced from the adrenal gland that gets released into the bloodstream in response to stress). Cortisone and cortisol are anti-inflammatories that act to suppress the immune system response in order to decrease inflammation in damaged tissues.
How Do Cortisone Shots Work?
Cortisone is injected directly into a site of inflammation. Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory medication and is NOT a pain medication. The injection shuts down collagen producing cells which suppresses inflammation and decompresses/calms nerves. This injection indirectly alleviates pain.
What Conditions are Cortisone Shots Used For?
Cortisone can provide effective short-term relief for pain caused by conditions ranging from arthritis to tendinitis. Injections are commonly used to ease pain in hip, knee, ankle, spine, shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints.
- Short Term Pain relief.
- Cortisone injections are an effective diagnostic tool that delivers rapid results. When cortisone is injected into a problem joint and relieves pain, it helps physicians to confirm the pain source was from inflammation.
- Arthritis flare-up treatment.
- Delay or eliminate joint replacement surgery. The pain relief provided by the injections can help to postpone or avoid joint surgery.
If you have been receiving Cortisone Injections and it has NOT helped your back, hip, or knee pain, Physical Therapy may be the best option for you. Cortisone does not heal the underlying problem triggering the inflammation. Most conditions can be treated with physical therapy. Call Respire Physical Therapy Today at 703-671-1871 or click here to schedule an evaluation and get back to doing the activities you love!
Tags: chronic pain relief, Respire Physical Therapy, annandaleva, physical therapist, health blog, steroid injection, choosept, arlingtonva, alexandriava, springfieldva, fallschurchva, ptworks, Physical Therapy
