If you’ve ever dealt with joint pain or stiffness—or know someone who has—there’s a good chance cortisone injections have come up in conversation. Maybe your knee aches every time you go up the stairs, your shoulder hurts when reaching overhead, or you’ve been living with stiffness for years. After visiting your doctor, you may have been offered a cortisone injection.
Many people experience significant pain relief after a cortisone shot, and for the right person, at the right time, they can be an excellent treatment option. But while cortisone injections can reduce pain and inflammation, they are rarely a long-term solution on their own. Cortisone works by decreasing inflammation within a joint or around irritated tissues, which is why many people feel better soon after the injection. However, the effects are temporary. Pain relief often lasts anywhere from several weeks to a few months, depending on the individual and the condition being treated.
It’s also important to recognize that repeated cortisone injections are not without risk. Research suggests that frequent injections may contribute to cartilage degeneration, tendon weakening, and progression of joint changes in some individuals. That’s one of the reasons healthcare providers typically limit how often these injections are given.
So, does that mean you should avoid cortisone injections altogether? Not necessarily.
In many cases, the best outcomes occur when a cortisone injection is combined with physical therapy. Think of the injection as creating a “window of opportunity.” By temporarily reducing pain, it allows you to move more comfortably, strengthen the muscles that support the joint, improve mobility, and correct movement patterns that may have contributed to your symptoms in the first place.
Without addressing those underlying issues, it’s common for symptoms to gradually return as the effects of the injection wear off. But if you use that pain-free window to build strength, improve flexibility, and restore function, you’re much more likely to experience lasting improvement.
The goal shouldn’t simply be to reduce pain today—it should be to improve your ability to move, stay active, and continue doing the things you enjoy for years to come.
If you’re considering a cortisone injection or have recently received one, a physical therapist can help you make the most of that opportunity. At CORE Physical Therapy, we’ll work with you to identify the root causes of your pain, develop a personalized treatment plan, and help you build the strength and confidence needed for long-term joint health—not just temporary pain relief.
