Cortisone injections: self-care

General information

• Limit yourself to everyday activities for the first two to three days after the injection.
• You may have immediate pain relief from the anesthetic numbing medication, but it may be anywhere from two days to two weeks before the steroid component takes effect.
• Make notes regarding the effectiveness and the duration of relief from the injection for your next visit.
• Occasionally, patients may have a local reaction ("steroid flare") after the injection (knee becoming tender, red, hot, or swollen); this will usually resolve within a couple of days. If needed, you may treat the swelling in several ways:
  • Ice.
  • Limitation of activities.
  • Elevating the limb above the heart.
  • Over-the-counter medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil).
• A true allergic reaction to steroid medication (itching or rash) is extremely rare. If you develop a reaction, try over-the-counter diphenhydramine (Benadryl).
• If you are diabetic, the steroid injection may raise your blood glucose level for the first two to three days. Monitor your blood sugar closely and adjust your normal diabetic medication if needed.

If you have any questions or concerns, please immediately call the office where you received an injection.