Corticosteroid Injections: What They Are, How They Work, and What to Expect

When your knee, shoulder, or spine hurts from swelling and stiffness, corticosteroid injections, a medical treatment that delivers powerful anti-inflammatory drugs directly into affected tissues. Also known as steroid shots, they’re one of the most common ways doctors quickly reduce pain caused by arthritis, tendonitis, or bursitis. Unlike oral steroids that flood your whole body, these injections target the exact spot hurting you—giving relief faster and with fewer side effects.

They work by calming down overactive immune cells that cause swelling. Think of it like turning down a fire alarm that’s ringing too loud. The injection doesn’t fix the root cause—like worn-out cartilage or a torn tendon—but it gives your body time to heal by reducing the inflammation that makes movement painful. People often get them for joint inflammation, a condition where the lining of joints becomes irritated and swollen, leading to stiffness and pain, especially in the knees, hips, or wrists. They’re also used for tendonitis, inflammation of the tendons that connect muscle to bone, like tennis elbow or plantar fasciitis. And sometimes, for nerve-related pain, like sciatica, where a swollen nerve root presses against surrounding tissue.

Most people feel better within a few days. Some get relief that lasts weeks. Others need repeat shots—though doctors usually limit these to three or four a year in the same spot, because too much steroid can weaken tendons or damage cartilage over time. You might feel a short sting during the injection, and a bit of soreness afterward. Rarely, there’s a risk of infection, skin thinning, or a spike in blood sugar. If you’re diabetic, your doctor will watch your levels closely.

The posts below cover real cases and comparisons: how corticosteroid injections stack up against other treatments like physical therapy or newer biologics, what to expect after the shot, and when they’re not the right choice. You’ll also find stories from people who tried them for back pain, shoulder issues, or arthritis—and what worked (or didn’t). Whether you’re considering this treatment or just want to understand why your doctor recommended it, these articles give you the facts without the fluff.