
Thinning of nearby bone, also called osteoporosis.Death of bone close to the injection site.The Mayo Clinic says that cortisone shot side effects can include: In patients with diseases or injuries that leave them with extreme pain and inflammation, steroid pills might still be necessary in addition to steroid shots.ĭoctors limit the number of steroid injections into a joint to minimize the risk of side effects. Damage to the tissue in and around the injection site usually only happens after a person has a large number of injections into the same area without waiting long enough between shots.īecause injections administer the steroid locally only to the affected area, as opposed to taking steroid pills that would distribute the substance throughout the entire body, injections generally are a safer method of treating pain and inflammation than oral medications. Minor, temporary side effects, like facial flushing and a feeling of warmth, happen to some people after a steroid shot. Possible Side Effects from Steroid Injections Steroid injections are outpatient procedures that doctors perform in their offices, ambulatory surgical centers, or hospitals. The injection procedure usually only takes a few minutes. The local anesthetic takes care of immediate discomfort, and the steroid works over time to reduce inflammation and pain. The injection itself is typically a local anesthetic and a corticosteroid medication. Sometimes people get relief from cortisone shots in smaller joints located in the hands or feet.

Large joints like the hip or shoulder, and medium-size joints like the knee, elbow, wrist, ankle, or back can get steroid injections. Most steroid injections, also called cortisone shots, go into a joint. An Overview of Steroid InjectionsĪccording to the Mayo Clinic, doctors administer steroid injections to reduce inflammation and relieve pain in a localized area of the body. We evaluate how likely the patient is to benefit from the injection and the risk of complications.


At WestCare, we carefully evaluate patients to determine whether they are good candidates for steroid injections. Every medical procedure has some risk of side effects, but steroid injections seldom cause problems for the patient. Patients often ask us if steroid injections have side effects, and how likely they are to occur. We offer steroid injections as an effective treatment for many different conditions. What Are the Side Effects of Steroid Injections and How Likely Are They to Occur?
