Risks

Potential side effects of cortisone shots increase with larger doses and repeated use. Side effects can include:

• Cartilage damage
• Death of nearby bone
• Joint infection
• Nerve damage
• Temporary facial flushing
• Temporary flare of pain and inflammation in the joint
• Temporary increase in blood sugar
• Tendon weakening or rupture
• Thinning of nearby bone (osteoporosis)
• Thinning of skin and soft tissue around the injection site
• Whitening or lightening of the skin around the injection site

Limits on the number of cortisone shots

There's concern that repeated cortisone shots might damage the cartilage within a joint. So doctors typically limit the number of cortisone shots into a joint.

In general, you shouldn't get cortisone injections more often than every six weeks and usually not more than three or four times a year.