Cortisol is a potent hormone that is produced naturally by the body. Along with adrenaline, cortisol is released by the adrenal gland in response to stress. Cortisone suppresses the immune system, thus reducing inflammation, pain, and swelling at the site of injury. Cortisone is a strong, prescription, anti-inflammatory medicine used to treat muscle, tendon, bone, and joint pains, and many nerve conditions that are associated with inflammation of the tissues.
Cortisone is a type of steroid known as a corticosteroid, that like all drugs and medications, should be administered appropriately. Steroids can be harmful if taken in high does or over long periods of time.
Cortisone medication gives a boost to the normal levels of cortisol in the bloodstream. The medication is restricted to short periods of time, after which levels quickly return to normal. Almost any painful muscle, tendon, bone, or joint problem, and many nerve conditions can be treated with cortisone:. Cortisone can be given orally or by injection. An injection usually takes effect quickly and is given in smaller doses. It delivers the medication directly to the affected area without being diluted through the bloodstream.
The frequency of dosage depends upon the condition and structure of the body being treated. A gap of several months is recommended before repeating the dose.
It can also provide the physician an opportunity to re-examine the injected joint to see if the pain was relieved by the anesthetic, thus confirming the source of pain. Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis Video. What Is Arthrocentesis Joint Aspiration?
Injections for Hip Osteoarthritis Video. You are here Treatment Injections. Cortisone Injection Procedure share pin it Newsletters. By Emmanuel Konstantakos, MD. Peer Reviewed. In addition to knowing who gives an epidural, you likely want to know what to expect from the procedure. You will typically start by putting on a hospital gown since this makes it easier to reach the injection site. You lie down on an X-ray table. You may have a small pillow underneath your stomach or you may lie flat.
Alternatively, you can lay on your side slightly curled up, or sit up. Your doctor cleans and numbs the skin along your lower back. The doctor guides a needle with a live X-pain ray fluoroscopy. They insert the needle into your skin and point it toward the epidural space. According to Spine-Health , not using fluoroscopy to guide the needle leads to missing the correct injection site in more than 30 percent of cases.
Once your doctor positions the needle, they inject contrast to visually confirm its location. To relieve pain, you may apply ice not heat. Watch for signs of infection, and do not use a bathtub, hot tub or whirlpool for two days.
The relief provided by a single cortisone shot can last up to several months. The number of cortisone shots you can receive may be limited in order to prevent deterioration of the cartilage within the joint, which may occur when cortisone shots are used too frequently.
Your provider will let you know when you should return for your next checkup. To find out if you might benefit from a cortisone shot, consult your doctor or visit a Physicians Immediate Care facility for an assessment.
0コメント