A cortisone shot in the knee offers temporary relief, typically lasting from a few weeks to several months (around 2 to 6 months), depending on the individual, the severity of the condition, and the type of steroid used, with more potent ones providing longer relief but potentially carrying more risk with repeated injections. Effects usually start within a few days, with some initial soreness possible, but the relief isn't permanent and isn't a cure for underlying joint disease like osteoarthritis.
In some cases, one or several cortisone shots can cure a condition, particularly those that affect the hand and wrist, Dr. Halim says. “But for conditions that affect the knees, shoulders, and hips, a cortisone injection will make the pain better for a period of time, but is seldom curative,” she says.
Hydrocortisone injections are a steroid (or corticosteroid) medicine. The injection releases the hydrocortisone slowly into the part of your body that is painful or swollen. Like other steroids, it works by calming down your immune system. This reduces inflammation and helps to relieve the pain and swelling.
Evidence-Based Answer. The evidence is limited on the optimum frequency of intra-articular corticosteroid (ICS) injections of the knee for treatment of osteoarthritis (OA). Current guidelines recommend ICS injections be performed no more frequently than every 3 months (SOR: C, expert opinion).
Compared to cortisone injections, PRP therapy offers several advantages: Reduced risk of side effects: PRP is derived from the patient's own blood, minimizing the risk of allergic reactions or other adverse effects.
Risks of long-term or too frequent use of steroid injections: Reduced bone density (osteoporosis), leading to weakened bones. Adrenal gland suppression, which can cause weakness, dizziness, fatigue, muscle pain, and shock.
Cortisone Shots in the Knee
These treatments work better for some patients than others. A person who does not experience pain relief after one or two injections has a low chance of improving with additional cortisone injections. It can take up to a week after the cortisone shot for symptoms to improve.
ZILRETTA is the first and only FDA-approved treatment for osteoarthritis (OA) knee pain that uses extended-release microsphere technology.
There is no limit in the number of injections, but they can lose their efficacy over time as your arthritis worsens. As a general rule, we do not give cortisone injections more frequently than every three months or no more than four injections into the same joint in one year.
Cortisone's role is to reduce inflammation, but if your pain is caused by something else—such as structural joint damage, nerve irritation, or advanced tissue degeneration—the shot will not provide the relief you were hoping for.
The length of pain relief after a cortisone shot depends on the condition being treated, how long it has been present, and which part of the body is being injected. If a cortisone shot is working for the patient, it can last at least 3 to 6 months, and sometimes longer.
Prednisone is a synthetic, anti-inflammatory glucocorticoid that is derived from cortisone. Prednisone is biologically inert and converted to prednisolone in the liver.
If the initial cortisone shot didn't work, your doctor may recommend trying steroid injections. Steroid injections use a different type of steroid than cortisone to reduce inflammation and pain. These injections are usually given directly into the joint or the surrounding tissue.
The success rate of a steroid injection is in 80-90% of patients who will have decreased pain and have a benefit. The problem is that some patients will receive 3 months benefit or longer and other patients receive only a week or two. I only recommend a repeat injection after 3 months if this really helped the patient.
Yes, your GP may be able to give you a steroid injection at your local practice on the NHS. Or an NHS or private GP, physiotherapist, rheumatologist, radiologist, orthopaedic surgeon or nurse may do it in a clinic or hospital.
As of 2025, PRP has moved beyond being an experimental therapy. It is now recognized as one of the leading biologic options for knee osteoarthritis. Ongoing studies are exploring how PRP can be combined with stem cell therapy or other regenerative techniques to further enhance outcomes.
Hot or cold packs. Applying hot or cold packs to the joints can relieve the pain and symptoms of osteoarthritis in some people. A hot-water bottle filled with either hot or cold water and applied to the affected area can be very effective in reducing pain.
Stages of knee osteoarthritis
You should feel relief from symptoms around a week after your injection. Some people only need one cortisone shot to give their body time to heal after an injury. Others need regular injections to help them manage a chronic condition.
Most people can take NSAIDs or acetaminophen. Physical therapy (PT): PT can help you strengthen the muscles around your knee to support it better. Increasing your strength and flexibility will reduce pressure on your joint and can reduce pain.
Since steroids cause your body to retain more water, it's also common to experience urinary frequency, says Kaplan. Just knowing that this can potentially happen — and that it will soon pass — can help. “It's not something to worry about,” she says. “It's not a long-lasting symptom; it will improve within a few days.”
Cortisone shots might be most effective in treating inflammatory arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis. They also can be part of treatment for other conditions, including: Back pain. Bursitis.
Corticosteroid treatment has been previously associated with risk factors for cardiovascular disease such as hypertension, hyperlipidaemia, and hyperglycaemia. Oral corticosteroid treatment may also be an independent risk factor for ischaemic events, particularly during treatment.