You may not drive for 12 hours after your injection. It is common to experience mild soreness at the injection site(s) for 24–48 hours. Ice is the best remedy.
After Care Procedure
For the first 24-48 hours you may have increased soreness in the joint until the steroid takes effect. If effective, the steroid injection may last up to 4 months. It is recommended that for joint injections of the shoulders, hips, knees and ankles that you do not drive for the rest of the day.
Pre-existing medical conditions
Patients with diabetes or poorly controlled blood pressure are advised not to drive immediately after an injection. This is due to the increased potential of the medication to cause a short-term destabilisation of their condition. In rare occasions, this may last for a few days.
Can I walk after a cortisone injection in my foot? After a steroid injection, you can return to most daily activities, including walking. The treating clinician may suggest against walking a distance/many steps. You should have no issues with walking out of the clinic upon completion of the injection.
As a general rule, we suggest that you rest for a minimum of 2 days after a steroid injection. After 2 days, we would suggest that you can gradually build up your activity levels. However, this advice does vary depending on what area is being injected.
After a cortisone injection, it is strongly advised to rest the affected joint for 24 hours and refrain from doing strenuous activity or exercise for several days. Resting after the injection is vital to reduce inflammation effectively.
We often say you should leave about a week before an event for the cortisone shot to work. Also, you need to be aware that cortisone can cause a flare of pain in the first few days. Therefore, you must rest for a few days after the cortisone shot to prevent the flare from worsening.
Don't use heating pads. Not use a bathtub, hot tub or whirlpool for two days. It's OK to shower. Watch for signs of infection, including increasing pain, redness and swelling that last more than 48 hours.
Side effects of injections given into the blood tend to be similar to side effects of steroid tablets, such as increased appetite, mood changes and difficulty sleeping (insomnia).
On the day of your appointment, please refrain from eating or drinking 4 hours prior to your appointment time. You may eat and drink immediately following your injection. If you take routine medications, you may take these on the day of your injection as scheduled with a small sip of water.
You should have someone to drive you back home. You should try and rest for the first 12 to 24 hours after the injection and avoid any activities that normally make your symptoms worse. This reduces the chance of a post-injection flare and will enable the steroid to work.
“How the injection feels depends on where you're getting it. Many injections are not painful or only have a few seconds of discomfort,” Dr. Halim says. “However, injections into the sensitive tissues of the palm or the soles of the feet may be more uncomfortable than when they are given into larger joints.
Can I drive or ride a bike? Prednisolone does not make you sleepy and so it's usually safe to drive or ride a bike while taking this medicine. However, do not drive, cycle or operate machinery if your eyesight is affected.
It is recommended that you lie down and rest at home for at least 2 hours immediately after the procedure. Plan to rest and relax for the first 24 hours after the injection in a reclined position. Limit walking or sitting to 10-20 minutes at a time. You may resume all medications as previously prescribed.
Inflammatory joint pain may be relieved with a cortisone injection administered in a doctor's office. The procedure involves several steps and typically takes less than 5 minutes. It may be mildly to moderately painful. During the procedure, ultrasound or another imaging technology may be used.
Shortly after a cortisone injection, the anti-inflammatory action reduces swelling and pain. Within several days, the relief can be nearly complete, even for those suffering from extreme pain.
Pain and Swelling (Cortisone Flare)
The injected cortisone medication can crystallize inside the body. The crystals can cause pain and inflammation that is worse than the pain and inflammation caused by the condition being treated. This side effect is called a cortisone flare.
It is important to avoid "simple" carbohydrates and concentrated sweets, such as cakes, pies, cookies, jams, honey, chips, breads, candy and other highly processed foods. This helps keep blood sugar low. Limit saturated fat and cholesterol.
If it does occur and your discomfort increases, try to rest, apply ice to the area, and take over-the-counter pain medication, such as Motrin/Advil (Ibuprofen), Aspirin, or Tylenol, if needed.
The most common side effect is intense pain and swelling in the joint where the injection was given. This usually gets better after a day or two. You may also get some bruising where the injection was given. This should go away after a few days.
What Is the Difference Between Steroid and Cortisone Injections? Many people are curious about what differentiates a steroid injection from a cortisone shot. When discussing steroid and cortisone injections for orthopedic related conditions, the two terms are referring to the same injection product.
You can only have three cortisone injections in a lifetime
Moreover, you should limit yourself to 2-3 injections in one area over 3-6 months. However, the rule that you can only have three in a lifetime is invalid. You can have injections into different parts of the body.
Without insurance, a cortisone shot can cost between $25 and $300. The price will vary based on the facility you received the cortisone shot and the injection site on your body. Sometimes, you may need an x-ray or ultrasound to guide the procedure better.