Sudden joint swelling, a stubborn flare-up of tendinitis, or the ache of an old injury can make even simple movements feel difficult. Corticosteroid injections, commonly known as cortisone shots, are anti-inflammatory steroid injections placed directly into or around a painful joint or soft tissue to calm swelling and reduce pain.
At Modern Edge Sports & Orthopedic Medicine, board-certified specialist Dr. Michael Wong, DO uses corticosteroid injection therapy as one option within a broader, entirely non-surgical approach to orthopedic and sports medicine care. Trained through UPMC and experienced working alongside professional athletes with professional Pittsburgh sports teams, he takes time to confirm this treatment fits your diagnosis before recommending it.
If joint or tendon pain is slowing you down, schedule an appointment with our team today to find out whether a cortisone shot fits your recovery plan and to talk through what other non-surgical options might help you get back to your routine.
So what are corticosteroid injections, exactly? They're a concentrated dose of a steroid medication, usually combined with a numbing agent, injected into a specific joint, bursa (a small fluid-filled cushion near a joint), or tendon sheath. Unlike treatments designed to regenerate tissue, corticosteroid injections work by directly reducing inflammation at the injection site. They don't stimulate new tissue growth or repair damaged cartilage.
Most patients notice pain relief within a few days, though how long that relief lasts varies by patient and condition, and it's generally temporary, often lasting anywhere from several weeks to a few months.
Cortisone is a synthetic version of a hormone your adrenal glands naturally produce. When injected near an irritated joint or tendon, it interrupts the chemical signals that drive swelling and pain, allowing the tissue to calm down. Because the effect is localized and anti-inflammatory rather than regenerative, cortisone is best thought of as a way to quiet a flare-up rather than a long-term fix for the underlying cause.
Dr. Mike most often recommends cortisone shots for:
We know patients researching corticosteroid injections treatment also want to understand corticosteroid injections cost. Because pricing depends on your insurance plan and the joint being treated, our team will walk you through your specific coverage and any self-pay options during your visit. Most major insurance plans cover medically necessary corticosteroid injections, and transparent self-pay pricing is available for patients who prefer it.
Because cortisone's relief is anti-inflammatory and temporary rather than regenerative, some patients want a longer-term option or a treatment aimed at supporting the joint itself. For those patients, Dr. Mike may also discuss PRP therapy or viscosupplementation as alternative, non-surgical approaches. Which option makes sense for you depends on your diagnosis, goals, and how your joint responds over time, so this is always a conversation, not a one-size-fits-all recommendation.
Corticosteroid injections are most often used to calm inflammation from arthritis flare-ups, bursitis, and tendinitis that hasn't improved with rest or activity changes. Dr. Mike will examine the affected area, confirm the diagnosis, and explain whether an injection makes sense alongside other parts of your treatment plan.
Cortisone is an anti-inflammatory steroid that reduces swelling and pain in a specific area, usually within days, though the effect is generally temporary. This is different from viscosupplementation, which supplements joint lubrication over a longer timeline, and from PRP therapy, which uses growth factors from your own blood. Dr. Mike can help you understand which mechanism fits your situation.
For many patients, cortisone shots are best used to manage occasional flare-ups rather than as a repeated, ongoing strategy. If you're having frequent flare-ups, Dr. Mike may talk with you about combining cortisone with other non-surgical options, or about longer-timeline treatments, to build a plan around your specific joint and activity goals.
Yes. With offices in Harrison City, Wexford, and Shadyside, scheduling is straightforward, and we offer convenient online scheduling so you don't have to wait on hold. You can request an appointment online in just a few minutes. We look forward to helping you get back to feeling like yourself.