Side Effects of Cortisone Shots

Cortisone is a type of corticosteroid, a medication used to treat inflammation caused by a variety of conditions and diseases. Though it is not a pain reliever, when injected into soft tissues or joints, it reduces inflammation, which relieves the pain. When injected properly, cortisone shots can offer patients months, or even years, of pain relief. There are side effects to these shots though, all of which depend on the patient's condition and the frequency of the injections.

Significance

Cortisone shots are used specifically for the treatment of inflammation that occurs in areas of the body due to conditions that affect both soft tissue and joint problems. Some of these conditions include tendonitis, bursitis, arthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. There are both short- and long-term side effects to these shots, as well as side effects for those with certain conditions, such as diabetes. There may even be long-term effects for those who receive the shots specifically for joint problems.

Short-term Effects

Though some of these side effects are uncommon, they are still a possibility. They include a depigmentation of the skin at the site of the injection, bacterial infections forming at the site, atrophy (shrinking of the skin), blood vessels breaking either in the skin or muscle resulting in bleeding at the site, and a reaction of the medication which results in an aggravation of the inflammation rather than relief. It is also possible for the tendons to be weakened by the shot, and in rare cases, a rupturing of the tendon.

Long-term Side Effects

The long-term side effects are completely dependent on the dose of cortisone used and how frequently the patient receives the injection. Some of these side effects include weight gain, increased blood pressure, the formation of cataracts, thinning of the bones, bruising easily and the skin of the injection site thinning. One of the more rare long-term side effects is damage to the bones of larger joints.

Diabetes and Infections

There are side effects that pertain to those who suffer from diabetes and infections. Cortisone injections can cause elevated blood sugar levels in diabetics. As a result, the injections should be used cautiously with those who suffer from diabetes. If a patient has an infection of some sort, the shots can actually prevent the body from fighting the infection. It may also make the infection worse or cover an infection because it suppresses the symptoms of it by reducing the inflammation. For those who have an infection, cortisone shots are generally not used. In addition, the shots are used with extreme caution in those whose blood does not clot well.

Joint Side Effects

There are side effects which pertain only to those who receive the cortisone shots specifically for joint problems or pain. The shots can injure the joint tissue, especially if the patient has received multiple injections, the ligaments of the joints may be weakened, the joint cartilage can thin, and an infection can also take place in the joint.