One popular medical treatment for pain relief is cortisone shots (also known as steroids). These are injections we use for joint problems, tendonitis, and a number of inflammatory diseases. Despite the success of these treatments, steroid injections are frequently accompanied by much anxiety, especially in terms of their effect on the immune system.
One of the most often asked questions is: how long is immune system compromised after steroid injection? The purpose of this article is to explore the impact of steroid injections, especially regarding the immune system and recovery precautions.
Let’s cover the fundamentals of cortisone shots — what they are and how they work, what you can expect when you get one and after you receive it, what risks and benefits are associated with their use, and how long the immune system stays suppressed after a shot.
What are Cortisone Injections (Steroid Injections)?
Cortisone shots, also known as steroid injections, contain a type of steroid medication that is injected directly into the site of an injury or inflammation to reduce swelling and relieve pain. Corticosteroids are artificial drugs that are chemically similar to cortisol, a hormone that your body manufactures when you experience stress. These steroids are good at reducing inflammation but are not specific for the problem and when given as an injection, they target a particular site of the body and provide immediate relief.
The injections help to tamp down the inflammation in the affected tissues, which in turn may reduce pain, improve mobility and make activities of daily living easier to accomplish. Cortisone shots are most often used to treat pain in joints and in soft tissues throughout your body, but they can also be used for certain types of inflammatory conditions, such as asthma, allergies, and systemic autoimmune diseases, to name a few.
What Conditions are Treated with Cortisone Shots?
Cortisone injections are commonly recommended for many types of conditions, especially those that cause pain and/or inflammation in joints, muscles, or soft tissues. Examples of conditions that may be treated with steroid injections are:
- Arthritis (osoeoarthritis* and rheumatoid arthritis being the most common)
- Bursitis (inflammation of the small, fluid-filled sacs cushioning joints)
- Tendinitis (inflammation of a tendon)
- Carpal tunnel syndrome
- Tennis elbow
- Frozen shoulder
- Degenerated or herniated disks or other spine problems
- Skin issues, such as bad eczema or rashes
Local injections are an easy treatment when oral medications are unsuccessful, for these disorders.
What’s Actually Happening When My Body Gets a Cortisone Shot?
Before receiving the injection, your doctor will clean the area and may place a numbing medicine in the area to lessen the pain. The cortisone preparation is then injected around the area being treated. When the needle goes in you might feel a pricking or scratching sensation, or a slight ache, but it shouldn’t be painful.
It may take your body a few hours to a few days to start feeling the maximum cortisone shot effect after the injection. You can feel better in as little as 24 hours but it may take up to one week for the full effectiveness of the medication to take effect.
Do Cortisone Shots Hurt?
Cortisone shots will cause some pain as they are injected, but it usually is not very severe or unbearable. Patients generally notice a momentary pressure or mild stinging when the medicine is injected. And afterward, you might experience some tenderness or bruising at the injection site, which usually goes away after a few days.
The number of discomfort may be different, depending on where the injection is performed, how much the patient has better pain tolerance, and which area of the body is targeted.
What Is the Point of a Cortisone Shot?
Cortisone shots directly address the inflammation at your site of pain. The corticosteroid in the shot is an imitation of the hormone cortisol, which is produced by the adrenal glands, and it helps control inflammation in the body. Cortisone injections work by slowing the body’s natural immune response in the targeted area and swelling reduction can help broaden the range of motion of the affected joint or tissue, so patients have less pain and discomfort.
This focused effect is why cortisone shots can offer immediate relief for conditions such as arthritis or tendonitis, both of which are at least partly due to inflammation.
Does a Cortisone Injection Inject the Whole Body?
While cortisone shots are supposed to be local treatments — meaning they are supposed to affect only the area they are injected into — they can have body-wide impacts in some cases. The corticosteroid in the injections may also enter the blood stream – although usually in minute quantities.
For most people, systemic effects are negligible and the steroid remains in the area of the treatment. Nevertheless, when given as multiple injections or at high doses, effects of ILT are not exclusively limited to the site of administration. The steroid cortisone can suppress your immune system and raise your blood sugar, both of which are particularly relevant for someone with diabetes.
Pros and Cons of Cortisone Shots
As with any medical treatment, cortisone shots carry potential benefits and risks. So let’s look at both sides of the equality:
What are Cortisone Injections Good for?
Effective pain and inflammation reduction: Cortisone shots can treat pain and inflammation much more quickly and effectively than do other alternatives for conditions such as arthritis and tendinitis.
Better movement: The reduction in inflammation and pain from cortisone shots can make it easier to move a joint (or tissue) that has been affected by an inflammatory condition.
Focused treatment: When medication is injected directly into the problem area, the relief is more concentrated and restricted than taking the medication orally.
What are Side Effects of Cortisone Shot?
While steroid shots are considered safe, they can cause side effects in some people. Some common side effects include:
Transient exacerbation of pain: Occasionally a temporary worsening of pain or swelling may occur for days after the injection, and some people may experience continued tenderness at the injection site.
Infection: Rarely, infections may develop at the site of injection.
Skin/tissue atrophy: Long-term (frequent) use of cortisone injections may result in skin or tissue thinning around the site of inject.
High blood sugar: Steroids can increase blood sugar levels, which can be an issue for people with diabetes.
Mood and sleep disruptions: Some people may feel irritable or experience difficulty sleeping after a steroid shot.
When Not to Get a Steroid Shot
However, there are reasons to avoid cortisone injections in some situations. These include:
Active Infections If you have an infection in or around the injection site, the injection may not b recommended as the cortisone can make the infection worse.
Allergies: You should not receive this treatment if you are allergic to corticosteroids or any of the ingredients of the injection.
Certain health problems: People with conditions such as tuberculosis or certain fungal infections should steer clear of steroid injections.
Being pregnant or breastfeeding: If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, speak to your health care professional before receiving a cortisone injection.
Recovery and Outlook
Recovery after a cortisone shot is different for each person and for that person’s condition for which they had an injection. Overall, the majority of individuals will notice improved pain within a few days. But it can take longer to experience complete relief. The effect of the injection may last for weeks, or even months.
Though the cortisone shot can alleviate pain and inflammation, it’s crucial to refrain from any strenuous activities for at least two days following the injection in order to avoid aggravating the area.
How long does it take to feel the effects of a cortisone shot?
The pain subsides with most patients 24–48 hours after the injection. But for some, it can take a week to derive the full benefits of the cortisone shot. The relief can continue for weeks or months, depending on the condition being treated and the patient’s response to the medication.
How Often Can You Get a Cortisone Injection?
Cortisone shots are great, but you can’t do them very often. In fact, medical professionals generally advise that steroid injections should be limited to not more than three-or-four a year in the same joint or region. Those cortisone shots will wreak havoc on the tissue and cartilage in the area being affected.
How Long Does a Cortisone Shot Last and What to Expect
Here’s what to expect and how long it’ll last before you make your appointment.
Relief from a cortisone shot is usually temporary. Some have relief for a few weeks and for others the benefit lasts for several months. But it’s worth noting that the effects may wear off over time with repeated shots.
How long is immune system compromised after steroid injection taken
The effect of cortisone injections on the immune system is one of the major concerns. As cortisone organisms, whether natural or synthetic, inhibit the body’s protective response to infection. Your immune system is kind of downhill just after you get a steroid shot.
This immune suppression typically ranges from a few days to one week, depending upon the number and frequency of injections. And during that time, your body might not respond very well to any germs in the environment, leaving you more vulnerable to getting sick.
The takeaway? Once you receive the injection, it’s critical to adhere to aftercare protocols from your healthcare provider and to not expose yourself to infections while healing. Contact your healthcare provider if you see signs of infection, such as more redness, swelling or drainage at the injection site.
How to Do This Safely?
You need Today, one that you will swallow and one you will use to rinse and clean up with. J To take care of your now temporarily suppressed immune system.
Do not go to crowded places or places where people are sick.
Make sure to wash your hands frequently to avoid infection.
When to make amputation decisions Your health care provider will tell you when it is safe to resume physical activity and other recovery instructions.
By following these measures, you can avoid the risks that are associated with cortisone injections and heal as quickly as possible.
Cortisone injections are often a good solution for specific inflammatory issues; however, they don’t actually solve the problem, and there are a lot of things to take into account- such as the temporary immune system suppression. By being aware of these and adhering to your doctor’s advice, you can find that you recover more safely and effectively post-surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the immune system stay compromised after a steroid injection?
Typically, the immune system remains compromised for a few days to a week after a cortisone shot, depending on the dosage and the area injected.
Can I resume normal activities after a steroid injection?
It’s best to avoid heavy physical activity for at least 48 hours after receiving a cortisone injection to prevent strain on the treated area.
How long will pain relief last after a cortisone shot?
Pain relief can last anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on the condition being treated and the individual’s response.
Are there alternatives to cortisone shots?
Yes, alternative treatments include physical therapy, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and other therapies depending on the condition.
What are signs of infection after a cortisone shot?
Signs of infection include increased pain, redness, swelling, warmth, and pus at the injection site. If you experience any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider immediately.