Steroid Shots for Shoulder Injuries
The purpose of steroid shots for shoulder injuries is to provide short-term pain relief and reduce the swelling from inflammation. Reducing swelling helps to relieve pain and can speed up injury recovery.
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What Is a Steroid Shot?
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Steroid shots inject a strong anti-inflammatory drug called cortisone into the injured area. The cortisone is usually mixed with a local anesthetic to minimize discomfort from the shot.
After the Shot
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The area where you received shot may be very sore when the anesthetic wears off. According to the University of Michigan Health System, your doctor may recommend using ice on the area for 20 to 30 minutes every three to four hours for a day or so and taking an anti-inflammatory medicine
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How Long It Takes to Work
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According to the University of Michigan Health System, the cortisone begins to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief within two to three days. For a steroid shot to work best, the doctor must inject exactly the right location. How well the shot works also depends on the amount of drug injected and the cause of the problem.
Risks
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According to the University of Michigan Health System, the possible side effects of steroid injections include reactions where you received the shot, including slight skin bruising, shrinking of fatty tissue under the skin, loss of skin pigment, increased pain or infection. It's also possible to have an allergic reaction to the cortisone
Cautions
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According to the University of Washington, steroid injections may weaken surrounding tissue. For this reason, multiple injections of steroids are discouraged.
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References
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