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Halcy Orthopedics

Cortisone Injection in New York

Also known as: Cortisone Shot, Corticosteroid Injection, Steroid Injection, Intra-articular Corticosteroid Injection, Joint Injection, Steroid Joint Injection

4 min readLast updated: 2026-05-10
Reviewed by Dr. Maya Chen, MD, FAAOS

A cortisone injection is a procedure that delivers a corticosteroid medication, often combined with a local anesthetic, directly into a painful or inflamed joint, bursa, or tendon sheath. By concentrating the medication at the source of inflammation, the injection can reduce swelling and pain in conditions such as osteoarthritis, bursitis, tendinitis, and joint inflammation. Most procedures take only a few minutes in an outpatient setting, and many patients experience symptom relief that can last from several weeks to a few months.

At a Glance

  • A cortisone injection delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly into a joint, bursa, or tendon to reduce localized pain and swelling[1]
  • Symptom relief from an intra-articular corticosteroid injection commonly lasts a few weeks, with some studies showing benefit for up to about three months[7]
  • Clinical guidance generally limits cortisone injections into the same joint to no more than three or four per year to reduce potential cartilage and soft-tissue effects[5]

Overview

Cortisone injections deliver synthetic corticosteroid medication directly to a localized site of inflammation. Corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory drugs that mimic cortisol, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. When injected near a joint, bursa, or tendon, the medication can dampen the local inflammatory response, which often reduces pain, swelling, and stiffness in the treated area.

Common indications include osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, or shoulder, as well as soft-tissue conditions such as subacromial bursitis, trigger finger, trochanteric bursitis, plantar fasciitis, and lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow). The injection is generally used when first-line measures such as activity modification, physical therapy, or oral anti-inflammatory medications have not provided sufficient relief.

Symptom relief typically begins within a few days and may last from a few weeks to several months, though duration varies by individual and condition. Because repeated injections into the same joint can be associated with cartilage and soft-tissue changes, clinicians often limit the number of injections in any single joint over a year. The procedure is performed in an office setting and most patients return to light activities the same day.

What to Expect During Treatment

  1. 1Clinical evaluation to confirm the diagnosis, review prior treatments, and discuss expected benefits, risks, and alternatives
  2. 2Review of current medications, including blood thinners, and any history of allergies or prior injection responses
  3. 3Positioning of the patient to expose the treatment area and identification of the injection site through palpation or imaging guidance
  4. 4Cleansing of the skin with an antiseptic solution and optional application of a topical or local anesthetic
  5. 5Insertion of a thin needle into the target joint, bursa, or tendon sheath, followed by slow injection of the corticosteroid and anesthetic mixture
  6. 6Removal of the needle, brief pressure over the site, and application of a small adhesive bandage
  7. 7Post-procedure observation and review of aftercare instructions, including activity modification and warning signs

How does Cortisone Injection work?

  • Corticosteroid medications reduce inflammation by suppressing the activity of immune cells and the release of inflammatory signaling proteins such as cytokines and prostaglandins. When delivered locally, the medication concentrates at the treatment site while limiting whole-body exposure compared with oral steroids.
  • By reducing inflammation in the joint capsule, bursa, or tendon sheath, the injection can decrease swelling, ease pressure on adjacent structures, and reduce stimulation of pain receptors in the treated tissue. Many patients experience improved range of motion alongside pain relief.
  • The injection often combines a corticosteroid (such as methylprednisolone, triamcinolone, or betamethasone) with a short-acting local anesthetic such as lidocaine. The anesthetic can provide quick, temporary numbing while the corticosteroid takes effect over the following days.
  • Imaging guidance with ultrasound or fluoroscopy is sometimes used to improve accuracy of needle placement, particularly for deeper joints such as the hip or for smaller targets such as tendon sheaths. Accurate placement may improve symptom relief and reduce procedural risk.

When It's Recommended

  • Osteoarthritis of the knee, hip, shoulder, or other joints
  • Subacromial bursitis and rotator cuff tendinitis
  • Trochanteric bursitis of the hip
  • Lateral epicondylitis (tennis elbow) and medial epicondylitis (golfer's elbow)
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome
  • Trigger finger and de Quervain tenosynovitis
  • Plantar fasciitis
  • Inflammatory arthritis flares, including rheumatoid arthritis affecting a single joint
  • Joint pain related to gout or pseudogout in selected cases

Recovery & Aftercare

  • Most patients return to light, everyday activities the same day after the injection
  • Strenuous activity, heavy lifting, or high-impact exercise involving the treated joint is often limited for 24-48 hours
  • A post-injection flare of pain, if it occurs, typically eases within 1-2 days and may be managed with ice and rest
  • Symptom improvement usually begins within 2-7 days and may continue to develop over the first 1-2 weeks
  • Pain relief commonly lasts several weeks to a few months, varying by individual and condition
  • Physical therapy or a structured exercise plan is often continued alongside the injection to support longer-term outcomes
  • Patients are advised to contact the clinician for increasing pain, redness, swelling, warmth, or fever, which can signal infection

Alternative Treatments

  • Oral or topical nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
  • Physical therapy and structured exercise programs
  • Hyaluronic acid (viscosupplementation) injections for selected joints
  • Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy in selected cases
  • Activity modification, bracing, or orthotics
  • Weight management and lifestyle changes for weight-bearing joint pain
  • Surgical evaluation when conservative measures are not sufficient

Related Treatments

PRP TherapyPhysical TherapyHyaluronic Acid Injection

Frequently Asked Questions

A cortisone injection is a procedure that delivers a corticosteroid medication, often mixed with a local anesthetic, into a joint, bursa, or tendon sheath to reduce inflammation and pain. It is commonly used for conditions such as osteoarthritis, bursitis, and tendinitis.
Most patients describe brief discomfort from the needle, similar to a routine injection. A local anesthetic is often used to numb the skin first, and the injection itself usually takes less than a minute. Some people experience a post-injection flare of pain in the first day or two, which typically eases with rest and ice.
The duration of relief varies. Many patients experience improvement that lasts from several weeks to a few months. Response depends on the underlying condition, the joint being treated, and individual factors such as activity level and overall joint health.
Most patients return to light, everyday activities the same day. Strenuous activity involving the treated joint is generally limited for 24-48 hours. Symptom improvement often begins within a few days and may continue to develop over the following one to two weeks.
Clinical guidance commonly limits cortisone injections to no more than three or four per year in the same joint, with several weeks between injections. This is intended to reduce the potential for cartilage and soft-tissue effects from repeated steroid exposure. The specific plan is determined by the treating clinician.
Common, usually temporary side effects can include a post-injection flare of pain, facial flushing, and a short-term rise in blood glucose. Less common effects can include thinning or lightening of the skin near the injection site, loss of subcutaneous fat, and, with repeated injections, potential effects on cartilage or tendons. Joint infection is rare but possible.
Cortisone injections are generally avoided when there is active infection at the injection site or systemically, an allergy to the medications used, unstable bleeding disorders, or a joint prosthesis at the target site. People with poorly controlled diabetes or those on anticoagulants may need additional planning before receiving an injection.
Cortisone Injection is available at our Manhattan Flagship office (401 Park Avenue South, Suite 800, New York, NY 10016); our Brooklyn Heights office (75 Henry Street, Suite 320, Brooklyn, NY 11201). Contact our office to schedule an appointment at the location most convenient for you.

Your Practitioner

Dr. Maya Chen, MD, FAAOS

Fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in cartilage preservation and minimally-invasive joint procedures. Dr. Chen treats high-performance athletes and weekend warriors alike, with a focus on returning patients to the activities they love.

Dr. Marcus Rivera, MD

Spine surgeon with subspecialty training in motion-preserving cervical procedures. Dr. Rivera has performed more than 2,000 cervical disc replacements and lectures internationally on navigation-assisted spine surgery.

Dr. Priya Nair, MD

Non-operative sports medicine physician focused on regenerative orthopedic care. Dr. Nair leads the practice's PRP and ultrasound-guided injection programs, and serves as team physician for two NYC-area collegiate athletic departments.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Maya Chen, MD, FAAOS · Last reviewed: 2026-05-11