Things You'll Need:
- Over-the-counter pain medication
- Ice pack
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Step 1
Arrange an appointment with your doctor to get a cortisone shot. In most cases, the cortisone shot will be performed in your doctor's office and will not require any substantial recovery time. It is important that cortisone shots always be administered in a doctor's office or other sterile environment by a trained medical professional.
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Step 2
Sit down or recline in the position suggested by your doctor to prepare to receive the cortisone shot. Your doctor will decide the best way to position your body in order to allow the muscles near the point of injection, or the area where you are experiencing pain, to relax as much as possible. Do your best to remain calm and avoid tensing up your muscles, and allow your doctor to use anesthetic if necessary to help dull the pain associated with the cortisone shot.
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Step 3
Prepare for your doctor to carefully select the correct position for the cortisone shot. It is often very difficult to find the best spot for injecting the cortisone due to the different bodily structures that exist around joints that may be causing the pain. Your doctor will need to determine which part of your body is likely to be creating the painful sensation before performing the cortisone shot to avoid the need for multiple injections.
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Step 4
Get ready for the numbing sensation of the anesthetic to wear off within a few hours following the cortisone shot. The point on your body where you have been injected and the area surrounding it may be slightly swollen and sore for 2 to 3 days following the procedure. The cortisone may take up to a few days to take full effect, so use an ice pack or over-the-counter pain medication to help relieve the pain during this time period.
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Step 5
Contact your doctor if the pain during the days following your cortisone shot does not begin to subside on its own or if you experience a fever or chills. These symptoms may be warning signs of a joint infection and can lead to serious complications if they are not treated promptly.
