A valuable tool in treating inflammation, cortisone is a man-made version of a natural hormone called cortisol. Cortisone is used to treat inflammatory conditions such as autoimmune diseases as well as joint swelling and pain.

Doctors use these shots to treat injuries and conditions such as arthritis or autoimmune disorders (when the body’s immune system harms its own cells).Sometimes cortisone shots are called corticosteroid shots.  

People most commonly receive cortisone shots in joints including the hip, knee, shoulder, spine, hands and feet. The cortisone reduces inflammation (swelling) in and around the joint.

Both man-made cortisone and cortisol produced in the body are types of glucocorticosteroids. The terms glucocorticosteroids, corticosteroids, cortisone, and cortisol may be used interchangeably.

• Cortisol is produced by the body’s adrenal glands. In large quantities, cortisol suppresses the immune system's inflammatory and allergic responses.

• Cortisone medications mimic the action of cortisol but tend to be more powerful.

Corticosteroid medications come in a range of strengths.

They also come in different forms, such as pills, liquids that can be injected directly into the body, and topical creams that can be applied to the skin.

• What are complications or side effects of cortisone shots?

Cortisone can weaken the immune system. For this reason, many doctors limit injections to once every 3 months for a specific joint, and 6 times a year for the entire body.

Cortisone can also raise blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. Doctors monitor blood sugar levels to make sure they are stable before delivering a cortisone injection. Cortisone may also (more rarely) cause osteoporosis (low bone density), fluid retention (swelling of the limbs and congestion in the lungs), high blood pressure, and alterations in mood.

Patients who take other corticosteroid medication such as prednisone pills or inhaled steroids should get fewer injections or lower doses if possible to minimize the above risks.

All injections have a risk of infection. For this reason, it is important to keep the injection site clean.